8. GLOSSARY

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ABSOLUTE ABUNDANCE: The total number of organisms in an area. Usually reported as absolute density: the number of organisms per unit area or volume.

BIODIVERSITY: Jargon for biological diversity: the variety of life forms, the ecological roles they perform, and the genetic diversity they contain (Wilcox 1984 cited in Murphy 1988).

CURRENT DRAIN: The rate at which a power source is exhausted.

GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS): Electronic device which determines its location utilizing signals from satellites.

"H" ANTENNA: A two element, H-shaped directional, receiving antenna.

HOME RANGE: The area required by an animal throughout a specified period of time, usually a season, a year, or a lifetime.

LINE OF SIGHT (LOS): The maximum unobstructed distance between transmitter and receiver which produces an adequate signal.

LOOP ANTENNA: A loop-shaped antenna used to send a signal from a radio-transmitter. Loop antennas may also be used to receive signals within a 1 km radius.

ONE STAGE TRANSMITTER: The simplest radio transmitter design which utilizes a single pulse capacitor to govern signal pulses.

OPERATIONAL LIFE: The period of time for which a radio-transmitter will produce a signal of sufficient quality to allow it to be tracked with a receiver.

PERIOD: The interval between signals.

PRESENCE/NOT DETECTED (POSSIBLE): A survey intensity that verifies that a species is present in an area or states that it was not detected (thus not likely to be in the area, but still a possibility).

PROJECT AREA: An area, usually politically or economically determined, for which an inventory project is initiated. A project boundary may be shared by multiple types of resource and/or species inventory. Sampling generally takes place within smaller study areas within this project area.

PULSE: A single signal (i.e. one "beep") from a radio-transmitter.

PULSE INTERVAL MODULATION (PIM): The ability of a transmitter to vary its pulse rate, usually in conjunction with animal behaviour.

RANDOM SAMPLE: A sample that has been selected by a random process, generally by reference to a table of random numbers.

REAL TIME SENSOR: A sensor which instantly alters the pulse rate of a transmitter as its position is changed. (Generally as the result of a change in behaviour of a tagged animal).

RELATIVE ABUNDANCE: The number of organisms at one location or time relative to the number of organisms at another location or time. Generally reported as an index of abundance.

SIGHTABILITY CORRECTION MODEL: A mathematical equation used to correct the results of a wildlife survey in an attempt to eliminate visibility bias.

SIGNAL: The audible, repeated pulse from a radio transmitter.

STRATIFICATION: The separation of a sample population into non-overlapping groups based on a habitat or population characteristic that can be divided into multiple levels. Groups are homogeneous within, but distinct from, other strata.

STUDY AREA: A discrete area within a project boundary in which sampling actually takes place. Study areas should be delineated to logically group samples together, generally based on habitat or population stratification and/or logistical concerns.

SURVEY: The application of one RIC method to one taxanomic group for one season.

SYSTEMATIC SAMPLE: a sample obtained by randomly selecting a point to start, and then repeating sampling at a set distance or time thereafter.

TAG: A radio transmitter.

TWO STAGE TRANSMITTER: A radio transmitter which incorporates a simple amplification stage to increase power output.

TIME DELAY SENSOR: Sensor which changes its pulse rate if an internal switch is not triggered for a specified period of time. Often used in mortality studies.

WHIP ANTENNA: A flexible transmitting or receiving antenna which is anchored at one end.

YAGI ANTENNA: A directional receiving antenna composed of lateral boom to which elements are attached so that they lie perpendicular to the boom and parallel to one another.

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