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

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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

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Hunter‐engaged monitoring of the Eurasian lynx during the reinforcement process

Wildlife Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 18, 2025

Collaborative wildlife monitoring programs involving citizen scientists are an efficient approach for surveying large areas. In Europe, hunters play important role in and act as crucial stakeholders carnivore conservation. The Eurasian lynx Lynx , elusive felid, is a species of conservation concern Europe. Slovenia, was exterminated later reintroduced 1973, but the population has declined during past decades. A reinforcement program initiated 2017, translocating from Carpathian to improve status critically endangered Dinaric population. coupled with intensive program, local key participants. this study, we show how collaboration between managers, researchers resulted robust assessment at national level period five years. Questionnaires distributed hunting clubs chance observations were used define expected distribution, guide extent systematic camera trapping surveys, 63 101 each year. southern core population, density doubled (from 0.66 1.30 lynx/100 km 2 ). north‐western Slovenia where stepping‐stone Alps established 2021, number increased seven. Furthermore, all three translocated females reproduced, which represents first confirmed reproduction Slovenian over 150 We discuss motivation behind hunters' contribution data collection process implications collaboration. highlight importance maintaining their support This study serves example large‐scale collaborative recovering undergoing measures promising results, scientists.

Language: Английский

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Are we telling the same story? Comparing inferences made from camera trap and telemetry data for wildlife monitoring

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 33(1)

Published: Sept. 15, 2022

Abstract Estimating habitat and spatial associations for wildlife is common across ecological studies it well known that individual traits can drive population dynamics vice versa. Thus, commonly assumed individual‐ population‐level data should represent the same underlying processes, but few have directly compared contemporaneous representing these different perspectives. We evaluated circumstances under which collected from Lagrangian (individual‐level) Eulerian (population‐level) perspectives could yield comparable inference to understand how scalable information population. used Global Positioning System (GPS) collar (Lagrangian) camera trap (Eulerian) seven species simultaneously in eastern Washington (2018–2020) compare inferences made survey fit respective streams resource selection functions (RSFs) occupancy models estimated habitat‐ space‐use patterns each species. Although previous considered whether generated information, ours first make this comparison multiple specifically ask two differed depending on focal found general agreement between predicted distributions most paired analyses, although specific relationships differed. hypothesize discrepancies arose due differences statistical power associated with GPS‐collar sampling, as mismatches data. Our research suggests individual‐based sampling methods capture coarse population‐wide a diversity of species, results differ when interpreting wildlife‐habitat relationships.

Language: Английский

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Bottom‐up rather than top‐down mechanisms determine mesocarnivore interactions in Norway

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(3)

Published: March 1, 2024

Interactions among coexisting mesocarnivores can be influenced by different factors such as the presence of large carnivores, land-use, environmental productivity, or human disturbance. Disentangling relative importance bottom-up and top-down processes challenging, but it is important for biodiversity conservation wildlife management. The aim this study was to assess how interactions (red fox

Language: Английский

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Clustered and rotating designs as a strategy to obtain precise detection rates in camera trapping studies

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 61(7), P. 1649 - 1661

Published: May 27, 2024

Abstract Camera traps have transformed the way we monitor wildlife and are now routinely used to address questions from a wide range of ecological conservation aspects. Sampling design optimization better understanding drivers determining precision detection rates (i.e. number detections per unit effort) important methodological issues. Little attention has been focused on effect placing more than one camera each sampling point (hereafter, clustered design), and/or rotating redeploying) cameras new placements during period. We explored differences in between vs. single designs when remained same location study. Furthermore, keeping placement fixed or them moving locations period), limited devices available, was also evaluated. simulations field data test rate for different designs. simulated three population distributions (random, trail‐based aggregated) abundance scenarios. The were validated with experiment eight species behavioural traits, including artiodactyls, carnivores, lagomorphs, birds. When points monitored simultaneously, generally resulted an increase compared absolute reduction coefficient variation by average 0.07 units (min: 0.01, max: 0.15), which represents relative CV 31% (min:6%, max:44%). An improvement observed as higher all tested. independent improved (an 0.19 units) monitoring aggregated populations, but not random distributions. Synthesis applications : Our research provides guideline managers researchers improve trap optimize resource allocation. In general, study should accommodate behaviour target (e.g. spatial aggregation abundance), program logistic resources (both human economic) area characteristics accessibility vandalism).

Language: Английский

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Fox on the Run—Cheaper Camera Traps Fail to Detect Fast‐Moving Mesopredators

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Camera trapping for detecting wildlife is increasingly used as a primary method of non‐invasive monitoring. Yet understanding among researchers and conservationists on how camera trap make, model affect detection rates limited. Published studies often fail to make clear why given was chosen or what specifications parameters were capture target species within study area, prohibiting replicability. Here we present comparison predator herbivore efficacy using three makes models at differing price ranges, year release (hereafter vintages) specifications. We passive monitoring survey design six sites in open field conditions across the Flow Country, Northern Scotland. Detection varied substantially between grades vintages traps depended captured. Older with lower trigger speed night vision range performed particularly poorly nocturnal predatory mammal detection. This has implications researchers, conservationists, developers other users approach experimental analyses, but also conclusions that may be drawn from studies. caution against results one more different cameras inform policy interventions.

Language: Английский

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Better together: Combining expert and citizen science data improves our understanding of occurrence patterns of lynx and wolves in Lower Saxony, Germany

European Journal of Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 71(2)

Published: Feb. 28, 2025

Language: Английский

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Refining Camera Trap Surveys for Mammal Detection and Diversity Assessment in the Baviaanskloof Catchment, South Africa

Wild, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 2(2), P. 15 - 15

Published: April 29, 2025

Conserving biodiversity in mixed-land-use areas is essential, as nearly 80% of South Africa’s wild species exist outside protected areas. This study investigated mammalian diversity within the Baviaanskloof catchment, a mixed-use landscape Eastern Cape, Africa. It also evaluated how camera setup parameters impact detectability. Using 131 traps over four survey sessions from January 2020 to April 2022, 34 were recorded 21,020 trap days. Biodiversity indices revealed high with substantial variability across locations. Species discovery reached an asymptote at approximately 153 sampling days, though extended monitoring detected rarer species. Cameras positioned heights 40–70 cm improved detection rates, while above 100 reduced captures. However, elevation effects varied species, highlighting need for species-specific optimization. Optimal angles ranged 50 90°, extreme decreasing capture frequency. North- and south-facing cameras yielded better west-facing orientations introduced glare visibility. These findings underscore significance emphasize optimize configurations enhance wildlife conservation strategies complex, landscapes.

Language: Английский

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Umbrella effect of monitoring protocols for mammals in the Northeast US

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Feb. 3, 2022

Abstract Developing cost-effective monitoring protocols is a priority for wildlife conservation agencies worldwide. In particular, developing that cover wide range of species highly desirable. Here we applied the ‘umbrella species’ concept to context ecological monitoring; specifically testing hypothesis developed American marten would contextually allow detecting occupancy trends 13 other mammalian (i.e., an umbrella effect). We conducted large-scale four-year camera trapping survey across gradient forest disturbance in Maine, USA. sampled 197 sites using total 591 cameras and collected over 800,000 photographs generate detection histories most common terrestrial species. By combining multi-season modelling power analyses, estimated required sampling effort detect 10%, 25% 50% declines fourteen conducting spatially explicit comparison effort, found evidence provide effect up 11 mammal The capacity varied among species, with fisher, snowshoe hare, red squirrel, black bear consistently covered under several scenarios. Our results support application (here defined as species’), providing empirical its use by management agencies.

Language: Английский

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