bestandsomvang

Bestandsomvang is a term used in ecology and wildlife management to denote the size or extent of a population of a species within a defined area or time period. In translation, it corresponds to concepts such as population size or abundance, focusing on how many individuals comprise the population under study. The term is common in Norwegian, Danish, and related Nordic languages, and it is used to describe the overall number of individuals rather than the geographic range or genetic diversity alone.

Estimating bestandsomvang involves sampling approaches designed to infer total abundance from partial observations. Methods include direct counts in small or easily surveyed populations, distance sampling and transect surveys, capture–recapture or mark–recapture techniques, track or sign counts, acoustic monitoring for vocal species, and increasingly, genetic methods. A key challenge in estimation is detectability: not all individuals are observed, and detection probability must be accounted for to avoid biased results. Estimates are typically accompanied by measures of uncertainty, such as confidence intervals or credible intervals.

Applications of bestandsomvang include wildlife management, conservation planning, and population viability analyses. Accurate estimates support decisions on harvest quotas, habitat protection, reintroduction efforts, and regulatory policies. Temporal and spatial scales matter: population size can fluctuate seasonally or yearly, and estimates may be refined for different life stages or subpopulations. Related concepts include population density, abundance, and population dynamics, each providing different perspectives on how a species persists in its environment.

See also: abundance, population size, population dynamics, census, mark-recapture.