Methods for Evaluating Abundance and Distribution of River Otters in Georgia
Data for assessing trends in river otter (Lutra canadensis) distribution and abundance are difficult to collect because monitoring techniques are currently unavailable, prohibitively expensive, or are applicable only to small areas. Scent-station and field-sign techniques for gathering such information were evaluated in 52 counties and 6 physiographic regions of Georgia from 1983 through 1986. Indices derived from scent-station and field-sign surveys were correlated (P < 0.01). Scent-station surveys were discontinued in 1985 and 1986, and field-sign surveys were used exclusively in all...
