Slideshow

The line-transect sampling survey will form the main research component of the expedition. The purpose of this survey is to determine the abundance and distribution of the Yangtze’s Critically Endangered baiji river dolphin and Yangtze finless porpoise.
Conventional line-transect sampling will be conducted using two large vessels with 4m high viewing platforms. As a general rule, vessel one (KeKao No.1) will cover the north side of the Yangtze channel, cruising at a distance not closer than 300m to the bank. Vessel two (Honghu Vessel) will cover the south side, cruising at a distance not closer than 300m to the bank. This strategy worked well for the channel sections covered during the pilot survey, but it may need to be modified for wider stretches further downstream. Both vessels will change to the opposite bank when turning at Yichang and Shanghai, so that they can each cover the whole survey area. They will maintain a constant speed of 15km/hour and follow the track-line. Cruise tracks will be printed out at turn-around points and attempts will be made to cover any missed areas on the return journey. KeKao No.1 will cruise one hour ahead of the Honghu Vessel in order to make sure that the two sets of data are independent.

To learn more, download «Visual Survey Design (pdf, 581kb)»