EDP Foz Tua Large Mammals (nocturnal transects) - Ecological Monitoring Program [2011]

Study Extent

The data were collected within a grid of 36 2x2 km mesh in a 5-km buffer around the Tua lower valley (Northeast Portugal), up to 35 km from the mouth, in the municipalities of Carrazeda de Ansiães, Alijó, Murça, Vila Flor and Mirandela.

Sampling

Sampling was designed to cover the main habitat types for large mammals in and around the lower Tua valley affected by the Foz-Tua dam (including the reservoir area). Twenty-four nocturnal transects of an average length of 2000 m (range: 505-3968 m), depending on accessibility by car, were established in 36 2x2 km squares in the flooded area and in a control area upstream. The transects were performed in a 4x4 wheeled vehicle at reduced speed (about 10km / h), using the headlights of the vehicle for frontal observations and a high power focus for lateral observations. Each team was formed by two observers, one driver, accountable for the frontal observations, and one person responsible for the portable spotlight to the sides of the transects. Species identification was made "in loco", if necessary, with the help of appropriate field guides.

Quality Control

All identifications were performed by qualified technicians

Method steps

1. To be completed

The taxonomic coverage of this dataset spans 1 phylum, 1 class, 2 orders, 3 families, 3 genera and 3 species.

1. Mammalia
   rank: class
2. Carnivora
   rank: order
3. Lagomorpha
   rank: order
4. Canidae
   rank: family
5. Mustelidae
   rank: family
6. Leporidae
   rank: family

The data were collected within a 5-km buffer around the valley of the River Tua (Northeast Portugal), up to 35 km from the mouth, in the municipalities of Alijó, Carrazeda de Ansiães, Murça, Vila Flor and Mirandela.