The use of mist nets as a tool for bird population monitoring

Ahstract.Mist nets are an important tool for population monitoring.here defined as asse1.,1.,ment of '>pecics composition.relative abundance.population siLe.and demography.We re\ ie\\ the strength<., and limitation-. of mist netting for monitoring purposes.based on papers in this volume and other literature.Ad\antages of using mi'>t nets over aural or\ isual count method include ea1.,e of '>tandardized sampling, low observer bias.ability to detect species that arc often missed using other count rm:thods.and opportunity to examine birds in the hand (providing information on conJition, age.sex.and capture history).The primary limitation of mist netting. in common with most other survey methods. is from potential bias in '>ampling.However.there are many approaches to reducing or adJU'>ting for bias, including standardiz..ition of netting method.,.combining mi.,t-net '>ampling \\Ith other sune) types, and us111g mark-recapture techmque<., .Mist netting is an essential tool for '>pecies inventory .pro\idcs useful indice1., of relative abundance.and can be u<,ed lo track temporal trend.., in abundance It is al. o one of the most efficient methods of capture for mark recapture studie ....