Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for
Date of this Version
October 1981
Abstract
Computers are affordable and usable by most individuals involved in vertebrate pest control. Their value as a research tool for vertebrate pest population modeling has been proposed; however, few, if any, are being used for field operations. Despite their ecological limitations, simulating models have been developed that are useful in wildlife management, including wildlife pest problems. Improvement of these or similar models could answer questions such as population effects from a control program, proper timing of control, and the impact of control on non-target species. Vertebrate pest control information can also be stored, retrieved and disseminated via the computer. The primary advantages of electronic storage are information accessibility, the minimal physical storage space required, and the ability for continuous updating to keep information current. Finally, the value of the computer as an aid in the vertebrate pest control decision-making process is discussed.