EDP Baixo Sabor: Construction and Reservoir Filling Phases - Iberian Wolf [spotlight counts] - [2010-2014]

Study Extent

The data were collected in a grid of 38 5x5 km squares established in the lower Sabor river valley, its tributaries, and in the rivers Maçãs and Angueira, from the river mouth up to 42 km upstream, in the municipalities of Torre de Moncorvo, Alfândega da Fé, Mogadouro and Macedo de Cavaleiros.

Sampling

In squares with potential (scats, attacks on livestock) or confirmed (photos) presence of wolf, spotlight counts were performed between May and November of each year. Counts were made at night, by driving a car slowly along road transects crossing habitats potentially suitable for wolves. Between 11 (2010-11) and 6-8 (2012-14) transects with a minimum lenght of 14 km (range: 14-23 km) were performed by two observers. At least one of the members of the team was equipped with a long-range spotlight. All terrain in front and to the sides of the car was systematically swept with the light source, which would be reflected by the eyes of any mammals they would meet with. Identification of any animal detected was to be made with the help of 10x50 binoculars.

Quality Control

All individual identifications were performed by qualified technicians

Method steps

1. To be completed

The taxonomic coverage of this dataset spans 1 class, 1 order, 1 familiy, 1 genus and 1 species.

1. Chordata
   rank: phylum
2. Carnivora
   rank: order
3. Canidae
   rank: family

Data were collected along the lower Sabor river valley and its tributaries, in 38 5x5 km squares, from the river mouth to 42 km upstream, in the municipalities of Torre de Moncorvo, Alfândega da Fé, Mogadouro and Macedo de Cavaleiros.