The Where and Why of Saiga Antelope Distribution in West Kazakhstan, MSc Thesis

H. Chilton
The Where and Why of Saiga Antelope Distribution in West Kazakhstan, MSc Thesis
Effective and economical monitoring methods are required in biodiversity conservation. Monitoring of migratory species can be especially costly. A participatory monitoring scheme, as an economical monitoring technique, is initiated in West Kazakhstan for the monitoring of the Ural population of Saiga antelope, saiga tatarica.

The data collated from participatory monitoring is evaluated and analysed alongside data from wildlife rangers in the region and an annual aerial survey using a maximum entropy habitat suitability modelling approach. Improvements to the monitoring techniques covered are discussed. Participatory monitoring is found to be an effective tool for monitoring the saiga antelope.