Following the track: accuracy and reproducibility of predation assessment on artificial caterpillars

Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 170(10), P. 914 - 921

Published: June 22, 2022

Abstract Experimental studies of biotic interactions in real field conditions are essential to understand the structure and functioning ecological networks. The use artificial caterpillars mimic actual prey availability is generally seen as a standard approach compare activity diversity predators along environmental gradients. Yet, even with standardized material procedures, biases may still affect data from multiple observers different expertise. We used pictures or without various predation marks, an online survey that was targeted for participants project, evaluate reliability marks identification made by non‐scientists scientists experience mark identification. Pictures displayed typical left birds, mammals, arthropods, well non‐predation (‘false positive’). In total 357 respondents scanned 7140 caterpillars. Scientists were more confident accurate their observations than non‐scientists, but differences correct identifications among low. also experience, whereas there no self‐confidence experience. Accuracy did not differ types predators, keen identify birds mammals arthropods. Our results have practical implications design multi‐observer projects relying on proxy assess intensity, particular context citizen science.

Language: Английский

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Coexistence of Wild Fauna in the City

Ecology Economy and Society–the INSEE Journal, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(2)

Published: Jan. 30, 2024

Rapid urbanization across the world has drawn attention to unique state of urban woodlands. New Delhi is one world’s most populous cities; yet, it harbours several woodlands that support a variety wildlife. The persistence mesopredators like golden jackal (Canis aureus Linn.) in city intriguing and provides an opportunity explore coexistence context. Using combination camera trapping occupancy modelling, our study aims understand habitat use, distribution, adaptations Delhi’s Central Ridge Reserve Forest. Preliminary analysis shows extensive use sophisticated including adjustments activity patterns response human competition from feral dogs. also demonstrated behavioural adaptations, particularly terms foraging, denning, with other species, which enable these populations jackals persist city. indicates need for newer frameworks conservation synanthropic wild fauna calorie-rich environments.

Language: Английский

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Reduced human disturbance increases diurnal activity in wolves, but not Eurasian lynx

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 53, P. e02985 - e02985

Published: May 15, 2024

Wildlife in the Anthropocene is increasingly constrained both spatially and temporally by lethal non-lethal human disturbance. For large carnivores with extensive space requirements, like wolves Eurasian lynx, avoiding disturbance European landscapes challenging when sufficient low rarely available. Consequently, investigating behavioural adjustments to presence critical understanding capacity adapt We hypothesised that under conditions, would adjust their temporal behaviours make use of daytime, daytime high, they opt for nocturnality. Using camera trap data from nine study sites along a gradient disturbance, we analysed wolf lynx nocturnality diel activity patterns. Our spanned multiple years 2014 – 2022, focused analysis on September until April, most carnivore monitoring takes place. wolves, our revealed i) increased nocturnal activity, ii) decreased diurnal overlap iii) significant association between probability increasing found iv) consistently across all sites, regardless v) no be active during night. results show can or cathemeral but quickly shift increases. however, maintain behaviour, which attribute principal hunting strategy stalk ambush. If constrains nighttime, it could lead changes interactions prey. On other hand, maintaining human-dominated may beneficial conservation, decreasing thereby contributing landscape coexistence.

Language: Английский

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A diminished large carnivore guild with contrasting species-habitat associations persists outside national parks in Namibia's central-eastern landscape

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 297, P. 110741 - 110741

Published: Aug. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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A ‘how‐to’ guide for estimating animal diel activity using hierarchical models

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 94(2), P. 182 - 194

Published: Nov. 19, 2024

Animal diel activity patterns can aid understanding of (a) how species behaviourally adapt to anthropogenic and natural disturbances, (b) mechanisms co-existence through temporal partitioning, (c) community or ecosystem effects shifts. Activity often vary spatially, a feature ignored by the kernel density estimators (KDEs) currently used for estimating activity. Ignoring this source heterogeneity may lead biased estimates uncertainty misleading conclusions regarding drivers Thus, there is need more flexible statistical approaches testing hypotheses their biotic abiotic drivers. We illustrate trigonometric terms cyclic cubic splines combined with hierarchical models provide valuable alternative KDEs. Like KDEs, these accommodate circular data, but they also account site-to-site other sources variability, correlation amongst repeated measures, variable sampling effort. They readily quantify test related covariates on patterns. Through empirical case studies, we changes in levels due seasonality response factors (e.g. stressors co-occurrence). describe frequentist Bayesian quantifying site-specific (conditional) population-averaged (marginal) guidelines tutorials detailed step-by-step instructions fitting interpreting applied time-stamped such as those recorded camera traps audio recorders. conclude that approach offers viable, flexible, effective KDEs when modelling animal

Language: Английский

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Occupancy data improves parameter precision in spatial capture–recapture models

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(8)

Published: Aug. 1, 2022

Abstract Population size is one of the basic demographic parameters for species management and conservation. Among different estimation methods, spatially explicit capture–recapture (SCR) models allow population density in a framework that has been greatly developed recent years. The use automated detection devices, such as camera traps, impressively extended SCR studies individually identifiable species. However, its application to unmarked/partially marked remains challenging, no specific method widely used. We fitted an SCR‐integrated model (SCR‐IM) stone marten Martes foina data, which only some individuals are recognizable by natural marks, estimate based on integration three submodels: (1) individual capture histories from live transponder tagging; (2) detection/nondetection or “occupancy” data using traps bigger area extend geographic scope data; (3) telemetry set tagged individuals. estimated 0.352 (SD: 0.081) individuals/km 2 . simulated four dilution scenarios occupancy study variation coefficient estimates. also used simulations with similar characteristics case study, comparing accuracy precision obtained SCR‐IM SCR, understand how submodels' affects posterior distributions parameters. Based our simulations, we found estimates more accurate precise. In increased 37% when compared standard regards variation. This high potential be recognition markings not possible, therefore limiting need rely invasive sampling procedures.

Language: Английский

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Targeting burrows improves detection in giant pangolin Smutsia gigantea camera-trap surveys

Oryx, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 57(6), P. 718 - 726

Published: Feb. 1, 2023

Abstract The Endangered giant pangolin Smutsia gigantea is rare and elusive across its Central African range. Because of solitary nocturnal nature, the species difficult to study so ecology little known. Pangolins are considered most trafficked mammals in world. Therefore, confirming presence accurately monitoring trends distribution abundance essential inform prioritize conservation efforts. Camera traps popular tools for surveying cryptic species. However, non-targeted camera-trap surveys yield low camera-trapping rates pangolins. Here we use data from conducted within three protected areas Uganda test whether targeted placement cameras improves detection probability occupancy models. results indicate that highest when camera on burrows. median number days deployment first event was 12, with majority events captured 32 deployment. interval between at a site 33 days. We demonstrate can be designed improve pangolins outline set recommendations maximize effectiveness efforts survey monitor

Language: Английский

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Comparison of daily activity patterns across seasons using GPS telemetry and camera trap data for a widespread mammal

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(12)

Published: Dec. 1, 2023

Abstract Daily activity patterns of animals can be dynamic across seasons in response to changing environmental conditions. activity, though, has rarely been evaluated relation multiple factors (e.g., seasons, demographics, and data collection methods), which could important for understanding what drives patterns. Here, we the daily a widespread invasive species, wild pigs ( Sus scrofa ), two ecologically different study areas at Buck Island Ranch, FL, Tejon CA, from 2015 2018. Using GPS telemetry (62 individuals 21 CA) detections grids systematically placed motion‐activated cameras (44 48 CA), compared among sexes, methods (GPS camera traps). Overall, were mostly active during crepuscular nocturnal periods, with their lowest diurnal periods; however, varied due several factors. similar between methods, sexes subtropical climate Florida. In contrast, exhibited greater differences California, where seasonal temperature precipitation more pronounced. estimated using camera‐based not only high degree overlap comparisons but also marked that should recognized. Given increasing evaluation types datasets, our provides ecologists valuable information consider when designing ecological studies, interpreting results, comparing research systems studies.

Language: Английский

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The method matters. A comparative study of biologging and camera traps as data sources with which to describe wildlife habitat selection

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 902, P. 166053 - 166053

Published: Aug. 4, 2023

Language: Английский

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Forest road use by medium-sized mammals in winter snow environments in a hilly area

Landscape and Ecological Engineering, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 19(3), P. 549 - 557

Published: April 27, 2023

Language: Английский

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