Highly precise community science annotations of video camera‐trapped fauna in challenging environments

Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 24, 2024

Abstract As camera trapping grows in popularity and application, some analytical limitations persist including processing time accuracy of data annotation. Typically images are recorded by traps although videos becoming increasingly collected even though they require much more for To overcome with image annotation, trap studies linked to community science (CS) platforms. Here, we extend previous work on CS annotations from a challenging environment; dense tropical forest low visibility high occlusion due thick canopy cover bushy undergrowth at the level. Using platform Chimp&See, established classification 599 956 video clips Africa, assess annotation precision comparing 13 531 1‐min professional ecologist (PE) output 1744 registered, as well unregistered, Chimp&See scientists. We considered 29 categories, 17 species 12 higher‐level which phenotypically similar were grouped. Overall, was 95.4%, increased 98.2% when aggregating groups together. Our findings demonstrate competence scientists working environments hold great promise future animal behaviour, interaction dynamics population monitoring.

Language: Английский

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Raspberry Pi nest cameras: An affordable tool for remote behavioral and conservation monitoring of bird nests

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(21), P. 14585 - 14597

Published: Oct. 11, 2021

Abstract Bespoke (custom‐built) Raspberry Pi cameras are increasingly popular research tools in the fields of behavioral ecology and conservation, because their comparative flexibility programmable settings, ability to be paired with other sensors, they typically cheaper than commercially built models. Here, we describe a novel, Pi‐based camera system that is fully portable yet weatherproof—especially humidity salt spray. The was passive infrared sensor, create movement‐triggered capable recording videos over 24‐hr period. We an example deployment involving “retro‐fitting” these into artificial nest boxes on Praia Islet, Azores archipelago, Portugal, monitor behaviors interspecific interactions two sympatric species storm‐petrel (Monteiro's Hydrobates monteiroi Madeiran castro ) during respective breeding seasons. Of 138 deployments, 70% all deployments were deemed “Successful” (Successful defined as continuous footage being recorded for more one hour without interruption), which equated 87% individual 30‐s videos. bespoke proved easily between 54 different nests reasonably weatherproof (~14% classed “Partial” or “Failure” specifically due weather/humidity), make further trouble‐shooting suggestions mitigate additional weather‐related failures. have shown this coping spray humidity, consequently, camera‐build methods scripts could applied many also utilize cavities, burrows, nests, can potentially adapted wildlife monitoring situations provide novel insights species‐specific daily cycles interspecies interactions.

Language: Английский

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Snapshot of the Atlantic Forest canopy: surveying arboreal mammals in a biodiversity hotspot

Oryx, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 56(6), P. 825 - 836

Published: Oct. 17, 2022

Abstract The Atlantic Forest of South America supports a rich terrestrial biodiversity but has been reduced to only small extent its original forest cover. It hosts large number endemic mammalian species our knowledge arboreal mammal ecology and conservation limited because the challenges observing from ground level. Camera trapping proven be an effective tool in monitoring technique rarely used for species. For first time Forest, we obtained data on community using camera trapping, focusing Caparaó National Park, Brazil. We placed 24 infrared traps canopy seven areas within operating them continuously during January 2017–June 2019. During this period accumulated 4,736 camera-days footage generated total 2,256 photographs 30-s videos vertebrates. were able detect mammals range body sizes. assemblage comprised 15 identifiable species, including Critically Endangered northern muriqui Brachyteles hypoxanthus buffy-headed marmoset Callithrix flaviceps as well other rare, nocturnal inconspicuous confirmed occurrence thin-spined porcupine Chaetomys subspinosus Park. Species richness varied across survey types. Our findings demonstrate potential inform strategies.

Language: Английский

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Reducing bias in density estimates for unmarked populations that exhibit reactive behaviour towards camera traps

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(12), P. 3100 - 3111

Published: Nov. 14, 2023

Abstract Density estimates guide wildlife management, and camera traps are commonly used to estimate sizes of unmarked populations. Unfortunately, animals often alter their natural behaviour in the presence traps, which may bias subsequent density estimates. We simulated 100 populations known test several new existing methods that aimed reduce from trap distance sampling (CTDS) random encounter model (REM). Within our populations, we introduced different behavioural reactions including attraction towards cameras, freezing when near cameras fleeing cameras. CTDS REM provided with decent coverage confidence intervals (CTDS = 94%, 87%), mean coefficient variation 0.121, 0.071) minimal (root‐mean squared error: 1.336, 0.913) for no reactive behaviour. However, failure implement a method account resulted low coverage, large potentially imprecise 30% population reacted by or traps. identified corrective strategy enhanced interval increased precision reduced every reaction except individuals fled Synthesis applications . provide empirically tested reducing Wildlife managers requiring exhibit can use inaccuracy. encourage future studies quantify responses implement, possibly extend through simulation.

Language: Английский

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Behavioral “bycatch” from camera trap surveys yields insights on prey responses to human‐mediated predation risk

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(7)

Published: July 1, 2022

Human disturbance directly affects animal populations and communities, but indirect effects of on species behaviors are less well understood. For instance, may alter predator activity cause knock-on to predator-sensitive foraging in prey. Camera traps provide an emerging opportunity investigate such disturbance-mediated impacts across multiple scales. We used camera trap data test predictions about behavior three ungulate (caribou

Language: Английский

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