Towards a multisensor station for automated biodiversity monitoring

Basic and Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 59, P. 105 - 138

Published: Jan. 7, 2022

Rapid changes of the biosphere observed in recent years are caused by both small and large scale drivers, like shifts temperature, transformations land-use, or energy budget systems. While latter processes easily quantifiable, documentation loss biodiversity community structure is more difficult. Changes organismal abundance diversity barely documented. Censuses species usually fragmentary inferred often spatially, temporally ecologically unsatisfactory simple lists for individual study sites. Thus, detrimental global their drivers remain unrevealed. A major impediment to monitoring lack human taxonomic expertise that implicitly required large-scale fine-grained assessments. Another amount personnel associated costs needed cover scales, inaccessibility remote but nonetheless affected areas. To overcome these limitations we propose a network Automated Multisensor stations Monitoring Diversity (AMMODs) pave way new generation assessment centers. This combines cutting-edge technologies with informatics expert systems conserve knowledge. Each AMMOD station autonomous samplers insects, pollen spores, audio recorders vocalizing animals, sensors volatile organic compounds emitted plants (pVOCs) camera traps mammals invertebrates. AMMODs largely self-containing have ability pre-process data (e.g. noise filtering) prior transmission receiver storage, integration analyses. Installation on sites difficult access require sophisticated challenging system design optimum balance between power requirements, bandwidth transmission, service, operation under all environmental conditions years. An important prerequisite automated identification databases DNA barcodes, animal sounds, pVOCs, images used as training identification. thus become key component advance field research policy delivering at an unprecedented spatial temporal resolution.

Language: Английский

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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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Random encounter model is a reliable method for estimating population density of multiple species using camera traps

Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 8(5), P. 670 - 682

Published: June 24, 2022

Abstract Population density estimates are important for wildlife conservation and management. Several camera trapping‐based methods estimating densities have been developed, one of which, the random encounter model (REM), has widely applied due to its practical advantages such as no need species‐specific study design. Nevertheless, most studies in which REM assessed against referenced sampled population, precluding evaluation circumstances under does or not perform well. At this point, a review all assessments could be useful provide an overview method reliability highlight main factors determining performance. Here we used combination literature empirical compare performance with independent methods. We reviewed 34 where was 45 species, reporting 77 REM‐reference comparisons; also 13 populations (ungulates lagomorphs) densities. The results suggested that appropriate procedures estimate parameters (namely day range, detection zone rate) mandatory obtain unbiased Deficient range rate lead overestimation density, while deficient conducted underestimations. Finally, precision achieved by lower than reference methods, mainly because high levels spatial aggregation observed natural populations. In situation, simulation‐based suggest c. 60 placements should achieve acceptable (i.e. coefficient variation below 0.20). wide situations scenarios included allow us conclude is reliable population when using sampling designs. Overall, these pave way wider application monitoring terrestrial mammals.

Language: Английский

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Camera trapping expands the view into global biodiversity and its change

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 378(1881)

Published: May 29, 2023

Growing threats to biodiversity demand timely, detailed information on species occurrence, diversity and abundance at large scales. Camera traps (CTs), combined with computer vision models, provide an efficient method survey of certain taxa high spatio-temporal resolution. We test the potential CTs close knowledge gaps by comparing CT records terrestrial mammals birds from recently released Wildlife Insights platform publicly available occurrences many observation types in Global Biodiversity Information Facility. In locations CTs, we found they sampled a greater number days (mean = 133 versus 57 days) documented additional increase 1% expected mammals). For data, provided novel documentation their ranges (93% 48% birds). Countries largest boost data coverage were historically underrepresented southern hemisphere. Although embargoes providers' willingness share cause lag availability. Our work shows that continued collection mobilization especially when sharing supports attribution privacy, has offer critical lens into biodiversity. This article is part theme issue 'Detecting attributing causes change: needs, solutions'.

Language: Английский

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Large‐scale and long‐term wildlife research and monitoring using camera traps: a continental synthesis

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 17, 2025

ABSTRACT Camera traps are widely used in wildlife research and monitoring, so it is imperative to understand their strengths, limitations, potential for increasing impact. We investigated a decade of use cameras (2012–2022) with case study on Australian terrestrial vertebrates using multifaceted approach. ( i ) synthesised information from literature review; ii conducted an online questionnaire 132 professionals; iii hosted in‐person workshop 28 leading experts representing academia, non‐governmental organisations (NGOs), government; iv mapped camera trap usage based all sources. predicted that the last would have shown: exponentially sampling effort, continuation trends up 2012; analytics shifted naive presence/absence capture rates towards hierarchical modelling accounts imperfect detection, thereby improving quality outputs inferences occupancy, abundance, density; broader scales terms multi‐species, multi‐site multi‐year studies. However, results showed effort has reached plateau, publication only modestly. Users reported reaching saturation point images could be processed by humans time complex analyses academic writing. There were strong taxonomic geographic biases medium–large mammals (>500 g) forests along Australia's southeastern coastlines, reflecting proximity major cities. Regarding analytical choices, bias‐prone indices still accounted ~50% this was consistent across user groups. Multi‐species, multiple‐year studies rare, largely driven hesitancy around collaboration data sharing. no repository Atlas Living Australia (ALA) dominant sharing tabular occurrence records. ALA presence‐only thus unsuitable creating detection histories absences, inhibiting modelling. Workshop discussions identified pressing need enhance efficiency, scale management outcomes, proposal Wildlife Observatory (WildObs). To encourage standards sharing, WildObs should promote metadata collection app; create tagged image facilitate artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) computer vision space; address identification bottleneck via AI/ML‐powered image‐processing platforms; commons suitable modelling; v provide capacity building tools Our review highlights while investments monitoring biodiversity position global leader context, realising requires paradigm shift best practices collecting, curating, analysing ‘Big Data’. findings framework broad applicability outside meet conservation objectives ranging local scales. This articulates country/continental observatory approach also international collaborative networks.

Language: Английский

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Automated wildlife image classification: An active learning tool for ecological applications

Ecological Informatics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 77, P. 102231 - 102231

Published: July 28, 2023

Language: Английский

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The inappropriate use of time‐to‐independence biases estimates of activity patterns of free‐ranging mammals derived from camera traps

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(10)

Published: Oct. 1, 2022

Measuring and comparing activity patterns provide key insights into the behavioral trade-offs that result in animal their extrinsic intrinsic drivers. Camera traps are a recently emerged source of data for sampling used to estimate patterns. However, nearly 70% studies using such apply time-to-independence filter discard appreciable periods effort. This treatment as discrete event from use camera trap abundances, but does not reflect continuous nature behavior, may bias resulting estimates We large, freely available dataset test effects time independence on estimated eight medium- large-sized African mammals. show discarding through filters causes substantial losses sample sizes differences species. Activity herbivore species were more affected by application than carnivores, this extending potential interactions (activity overlap) between hypothesize pattern could typically abundant, social, patch-specific foraging herbivores suggest effect predator-prey interactions. rare species, with less available, be particularly vulnerable loss filters. conclude trap-based is valid should used.

Language: Английский

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Camera traps reveal overlap and seasonal variation in the diel activity of arboreal and semi-arboreal mammals

Mammalian Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 102(2), P. 341 - 355

Published: Feb. 24, 2022

Abstract Our study aimed to investigate seasonal variation in the activity of arboreal and semi-arboreal mammals their overlap temporal activity, as well shifts because behavioural interference. In our camera trapping a fragmented landscape south-eastern Australia, total ten species were found, with 35,671 independent observations recorded over 6517 trap nights. All found be nocturnal; however, notable number daytime made for several (i.e. brown antechinus, Antechinus stuartii ; sugar glider, Petaurus breviceps bush rat, Rattus fuscipes norvegicus ). Seasonal variations diel observed through an increase crepuscular spring summer gliders, rats , brushtail possums, Trichosurus vulpecula ringtail Pseudocheirus peregrinus. Diel between was high, that is 26/28 comparisons had coefficients (Δ) > 0.75. The pair least amount southern bobucks, cunninghami antechinus (Δ4 = 0.66). most native glider introduced rat 0.93). When comparing gliders sites low high abundance rats, appear shift relative rats. Similarly, interference also when activity. work provides some first quantification patterns this study, community mammals. results indicate behaviour are potentially occurring response interference, allowing coexistence by means partitioning.

Language: Английский

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Deer Behavior Affects Density Estimates With Camera Traps, but Is Outweighed by Spatial Variability

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: May 18, 2022

Density is a key trait of populations and an essential parameter in ecological research, wildlife conservation management. Several models have been developed to estimate population density based on camera trapping data, including the random encounter model (REM) trap distance sampling (CTDS). Both need account for variation animal behavior that depends, example, species sex animals along with temporally varying environmental factors. We examined whether estimates REM CTDS can be improved Europe’s most numerous deer species, by adjusting behavior-related parameters per accounting differences movement speeds between sexes, seasons, years. Our results showed bias through inadequate consideration was exceeded uncertainty estimates, which mainly influenced number independent observations locations. The neglection seasonal annual speed overestimated densities red autumn spring ca. 14%. This GPS telemetry-derived found problematic roe females summer when characterized small-scale displacements relative intervals fixes. In CTDS, foremost behavioral reactions traps (avoiding max. 19%), while species-specific delays photos had larger effect deer. general, applicability both would profit profoundly from improvements their precision reduction achieved exploiting available information data.

Language: Английский

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Evidence on the efficacy of small unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS) as a survey tool for North American terrestrial, vertebrate animals: a systematic map

Environmental Evidence, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Feb. 13, 2023

Small unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS) are replacing or supplementing occupied and ground-based surveys in animal monitoring due to improved sensors, efficiency, costs, logistical benefits. Numerous UAS sensors available have been used various methods. However, justification for selection methods not typically offered published literature. Furthermore, existing reviews do adequately cover past current applications monitoring, nor their associated UAS/sensor characteristics environmental considerations. We present a systematic map that collects consolidates evidence pertaining of animals.

Language: Английский

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