Framing pictures: A conceptual framework to identify and correct for biases in detection probability of camera traps enabling multi‐species comparison

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 9(4), P. 2320 - 2336

Published: Jan. 23, 2019

Obtaining reliable species observations is of great importance in animal ecology and wildlife conservation. An increasing number studies use camera traps (CTs) to study communities, an effort made make better reuse the large amounts data that are produced. It these circumstances it becomes paramount correct for species- study-specific variation imperfect detection within CTs. We reviewed literature used our own experience compile a list factors affect CT animals. did this conceptual framework six distinct scales separating out influences (a) characteristics, (b) specifications, (c) set-up protocols, (d) environmental variables. identified 40 can potentially influence animals by CTs at scales. Many were related only few overarching parameters. Most characteristics scale with body mass diet type, most differ season or latitude such remote sensing products like NDVI could be as proxy index capture variation. Factors microsite probably important determining The type specific research question will determine which should corrected. Corrections done directly adjusting metric interest using covariates statistical framework. Our design help when analyzing data. Furthermore, provides overview reported them repeatable, comparable, their reusable. This greatly improve possibilities global analyses (reused)

Language: Английский

---

Fishing for mammals: Landscape‐level monitoring of terrestrial and semi‐aquatic communities using eDNA from riverine systems

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 57(4), P. 707 - 716

Published: March 10, 2020

Abstract Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has revolutionized biomonitoring in both marine and freshwater ecosystems. However, for semi‐aquatic terrestrial animals, the application of this technique remains relatively untested. We first assess efficiency eDNA detecting mammals natural lotic ecosystems UK by comparing sequence data recovered from water sediment samples to mammalian communities expected historical data. Secondly, using occupancy modelling we compared detection multiple conventional non‐invasive survey methods (latrine surveys camera trapping). detected a large proportion community within each area. Common species areas were at majority sites. Several key conservation concern sampling where authenticated records do not currently exist, but potential false positives also identified. Water‐based provided comparable results per unit effort three (water vole, field vole red deer) models. The comparison between ‘effort’ reach probability ≥.95 revealed that 3–6 replicates would be equivalent 3–5 latrine 5–30 weeks single deployment, depending on species. Synthesis applications . can used generate an initial ‘distribution map’ diversity landscape level. If conducted during times peak abundance, carefully chosen points along river courses provide reliable snapshot are present catchment In order fully capture solitary, rare invasive species, recommend use alongside other surveying (i.e. traps) maximize monitoring efforts.

Language: Английский

---

Next-Generation Camera Trapping: Systematic Review of Historic Trends Suggests Keys to Expanded Research Applications in Ecology and Conservation

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Feb. 26, 2021

Camera trapping is an effective non-invasive method for collecting data on wildlife species to address questions of ecological and conservation interest. We reviewed 2,167 camera trap (CT) articles from 1994 2020. Through the lens technological diffusion, we assessed trends in: (1) CT adoption measured by published research output, (2) topic, taxonomic, geographic diversification composition applications, (3) sampling effort, spatial extent, temporal duration studies. Annual publications have grown 81-fold since 1994, increasing at a rate 1.26 (SE = 0.068) per year 2005, but with decelerating growth 2017. Topic, richness studies increased encompass 100% topics, 59.4% ecoregions, 6.4% terrestrial vertebrates. However, declines in article rates accretion plateaus Shannon's H topics major taxa studied suggest upper limits further as currently practiced. Notable compositional changes included decrease capture-recapture, recent spatial-capture-recapture, increases occupancy, interspecific interactions, automated image classification. Mammals were dominant taxon studied; within mammalian orders carnivores exhibited unimodal peak whereas primates, rodents lagomorphs steadily increased. Among biogeographic realms observed decreases Oceania Nearctic, Afrotropic Palearctic, peaks Indomalayan Neotropic. days, area sampled increased, much greater 0.90 quantile compared median. Next-generation are poised expand knowledge valuable ecology posing previously infeasible unprecedented spatiotemporal scales, array species, wider variety environments. Converting potential into broad-based application will require transferable models classification, sharing among users across multiple platforms coordinated manner. Further taxonomic likely modifications that permit more efficient smaller improvements modeling unmarked populations. Environmental can benefit engineering solutions ease traditionally challenging sites.

Language: Английский

---

A review of factors to consider when using camera traps to study animal behavior to inform wildlife ecology and conservation

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 2(8)

Published: June 19, 2020

Abstract Camera traps (CTs) are an increasingly popular method of studying animal behavior. However, the impact cameras on detected individuals—such as from mechanical noise, odor, and emitted light—has received relatively little attention. These impacts particularly important in behavioral studies conservation that seek to ascribe changes behavior relevant environmental factors. In this article, we discuss three sources bias using CTs: (a) disturbance caused by cameras; (b) variation animal‐detection parameters across camera models; (c) biased detection individuals age, sex, classes. We propose several recommendations aimed at mitigating responses CTs wildlife. Our offer a platform for development more rigorous robust CT technology and, if adopted, would result greater applied benefits management.

Language: Английский

---

Towards a best‐practices guide for camera trapping: assessing differences among camera trap models and settings under field conditions

Journal of Zoology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 316(3), P. 197 - 208

Published: Nov. 21, 2021

Abstract Camera trapping is a widely used tool in wildlife research and conservation, plethora of makes models camera traps have emerged. However, insufficient attention has been paid to testing their performance, particularly under field conditions. In this study, we comparatively tested five the most frequently trap (Bushnell, KeepGuard, Ltl Acorn, Reconyx Scoutguard) identify key factors behind probability detection (i.e. that successfully capturing usable photograph an animal passing through view) trigger speed time delay between instant at which motion detected, picture taken). We 45 cameras (nine devices each make) with infrared flash experiment continuous remote video was parallel (as gold‐standard) discover animals entered zone. The period (day/night), distance cameras, model, species, deployment height activation sensitivity were significantly related detection. This lower during night than day. There greater detecting given species when set its shoulder height. interaction affected speed, meaning closer zone, higher substantial differences among species. probably by movement speed. conclusion, study shows performance settings, signifying caution required making direct comparisons results obtained different experiments, or designing new ones. These provide empirical guidelines for best practices highlight relevance experiments traps.

Language: Английский

---

Overcoming the limitations of wildlife disease monitoring

Research Directions One Health, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Integrated wildlife monitoring (IWM) combines infection dynamics and the ecology of populations, including aspects defining host community network. Developing implementing IWM is a worldwide priority that faces major constraints biases should be considered addressed when these systems. We identify eleven main limitations in establishment IWM, which could summarized into funding lack harmonization information exchange. The solutions proposed to overcome comprise: (i) selecting indicator species through network analysis, (ii) identifying key pathogens investigate monitor, potentially nonspecific health markers, (iii) improve standardize harmonized methodologies can applied as well communication among stakeholders across within countries, (iv) integration new noninvasive technologies (e.g., camera trapping (CT) environmental nucleic acid detection) tools are under ongoing research artificial intelligence speed-up CT analyses, microfluidic polymerase chain reaction sample volume constraints, or filter paper samples facilitate transport). Achieving optimizing must allows drivers epidemics predicting trends changes disease population before pathogen crosses interspecific barriers.

Language: Английский

---

Spatial and Temporal Relationships Between Roe and Red Deer in an Alpine Area

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Interspecific interactions are important drivers of population dynamics and species distribution. These relationships can increase niche partitioning between sympatric species, which differentiate space time use or modify their feeding strategies. Roe deer Capreolus capreolus red Cervus elaphus two the most widespread ungulate in Europe show spatial dietary overlap. However, limited information is available on interspecific relationships, especially mountainous areas. In this study we used 5 years camera trapping data collected Stelvio National Park (Central Italian Alps) to investigate temporal roe deer. Analyses were based 2060 9030 detections, respectively, from July September, 2019 2023, using 50 traps randomly distributed over a 10,000-ha area. Spatial assessed by fitting single-season, single-species occupancy model calculate probability detection as function relative abundance site-specific environmental covariates. Temporal obtained comparing diel activity patterns species. Results showed no significant effect presence analysis suggested higher forested habitats, at lower elevations, areas with gentler slopes. Diel consistent across sites abundance, moderate high overlap, suggesting major support for avoidance latter former. The degree overlap may be result area-specific ecological conditions, such distribution during summer period, well adoption strategies that favor coexistence.

Language: Английский

---

Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) Indicate Mammalian Abundance Across Broad Spatial Scales

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(3)

Published: March 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Ongoing ecosystem change and biodiversity decline across the Afrotropics call for tools to monitor state of or elements extensive spatial temporal scales. We assessed relationships in co‐occurrence patterns between great apes other medium large‐bodied mammals evaluate whether ape abundance serves as a proxy mammal diversity broad used camera trap footage recorded at 22 research sites, each known harbor population chimpanzees, some additionally gorillas, 12 sub‐Saharan African countries. From ~350,000 1‐min videos 2010 2016, we estimated mammalian community metrics, including species richness, Shannon diversity, mean animal mass. then fitted Bayesian Regression Models assess potential detection rates (as abundance) these metrics. included site‐level protection status, human footprint, precipitation variance control variables. found that species, well mass were largely positive. In contrast, rate richness less clear differed according site impact context. no association diversity. Our findings suggest chimpanzees hold indicators specific communities, especially population‐level composition‐related characteristics. Declines chimpanzee populations may indicate associated declines sympatric highlight need improved conservation interventions.Changes likely precede extirpation mammals.

Language: Английский

---

The Rapid Rise of Next-Generation Natural History

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: July 21, 2021

Many ecologists have lamented the demise of natural history and attributed this decline to a misguided view that is outdated unscientific. Although there perception focus in ecology conservation shifted away from descriptive research training toward hypothetico-deductive research, we argue has entered new phase call “next-generation history.” This renaissance characterized by technological statistical advances aid collecting detailed observations systematically over broad spatial temporal extents. The increased exponentially last decade include electronic sensors such as camera-traps acoustic recorders, aircraft- satellite-based remote sensing, animal-borne biologgers, genetics genomics methods, community science programs. Advances statistics computation aided analyzing growing quantity reveal patterns nature. These robust next-generation datasets transformed anecdotal into collected collectively constitute foundation for can be leveraged applied management. are encouraging scientists conduct embrace descriptions nature remain critically important component scientific endeavor. Finally, these engaging non-scientists alike with documentations wonders Thus, celebrate people experience directly.

Language: Английский

---

Pangolins in global camera trap data: Implications for ecological monitoring

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 20, P. e00769 - e00769

Published: Aug. 31, 2019

Despite being heavily exploited, pangolins (Pholidota: Manidae) have been subject to limited research, resulting in a lack of reliable population estimates and standardised survey methods for the eight extant species. Camera trapping represents unique opportunity broad-scale collaborative species monitoring due its largely non-discriminatory nature, which creates considerable volumes data on relatively wide range This has potential shed light ecology rare, cryptic understudied taxa, with implications conservation decision-making. We undertook global analysis available pangolin from camera studies across their Africa Asia. Our aims were (1) assess utility existing efforts as method populations, (2) gain insights into distribution pangolins. analysed collated 103 trap surveys undertaken 22 countries that fell within seven species, yielded more than half million nights 888 encounters. ran occupancy analyses three (Sunda Manis javanica, white-bellied Phataginus tricuspis giant Smutsia gigantea). Detection probabilities varied forest cover levels human influence P. tricuspis, but low (<0.05) all Occupancy was associated distance rivers M. javanica S. gigantea, elevation protected area status tricuspis. conclude traps are suitable detection large-scale assessment distributions. However, effort required monitor populations at any given study site using appears prohibitively high. may change future should anticipated technological methodological advances facilitate greater sampling and/or higher detection. In particular, targeted placement is likely make feasible moderate efforts.

Language: Английский

---