RTC Monitoring Design and Planning using Satellite-derived Habitat Data

Woody Habitat now mapped to high resolution How do we use that to plan a monitor in just half an hour! NPCA protocol requirements: Map all possum habitat (we assume = woody vegetation) Calculate area for total treatment and for individual stratum Select lines in the treatment area in a random and unbiased way This can all be done in GIS, but we need it in digital form: Operational and strata boundaries Possum habitat Aerial photos (optional)

NPCA protocol requires a minimum of 10 traps in each stratum We can get the GIS to generate the required number of random start points inside the stratum treatment area only Spare lines can be added if required.

Optional: Can use photos to draw lines in known habitat. Alternatively – send field staff out only with line origins.

That’s it! Sampling phase of the planning is complete. You will still need to identify occupiers and phone numbers, etc. Advantages of this approach: Fast Precise Unbiased Flexible