Sample interview questions: How would you approach researching the impacts of habitat degradation on wildlife reproduction and survival?
Sample answer:
Approach to Researching Habitat Degradation Impacts on Wildlife Reproduction and Survival:
1. Define Study Objectives and Scope:
* Establish clear research questions and hypotheses to guide data collection and analysis.
* Determine the target species and specific habitat degradation factors under investigation.
2. Conduct Habitat Assessment:
* Quantify habitat degradation characteristics (e.g., fragmentation, land-use change, pollution) using remote sensing, field surveys, or both.
* Establish habitat quality gradients to investigate relationships between degradation levels and wildlife responses.
3. Collect Wildlife Data:
* Use a combination of methods (e.g., nest monitoring, camera trapping, telemetry) to track reproduction and survival rates.
* Consider reproductive variables such as clutch size, nest success, and offspring survival.
* Assess survival rates through population estimation techniques and mark-recapture studies.
4. Control for Confounding Factors:
* Identify and account for potential confounding factors that may influence wildlife outcomes, such as disease, weather, and interspecific interactions.
* Use statistical models to adjust for these factors and isolate the effects of habitat degradation.
5. Analyze Data and Draw Conclusio… Read full answer