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

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Янв. 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.

Язык: Английский

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Identifying the identifiers: How iNaturalist facilitates collaborative, research-relevant data generation and why it matters for biodiversity science

BioScience, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 73(7), С. 533 - 541

Опубликована: Июль 1, 2023

Abstract The iNaturalist platform generates millions of research-grade biodiversity records via a system in which users collectively reach consensus on taxonomic identification. In the present article, we examine how identifiers and their efforts, an understudied component platform, support data generation. Identification is keeping pace with rapid growth observations, assisted by small subset highly active who tend to be taxonomically specialized. Identifier experience primary determinant whether research grade, time it takes do so. Time grade has fallen rapidly growing identification effort use computer vision, identifications are generally stable. Most observations vetted experienced identifiers, although not free biases. We close providing suggestions for enhanced quality continuing steps enhance equitable credit trust across ecosystem observers, users.

Язык: Английский

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Pattern to process, research to practice: remote sensing of plant invasions

Biological Invasions, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 25(12), С. 3651 - 3676

Опубликована: Авг. 26, 2023

Язык: Английский

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iNaturalist as a tool in the study of tropical molluscs

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 17(5), С. e0268048 - e0268048

Опубликована: Май 5, 2022

Although terrestrial gastropods are remarkably diverse, our knowledge of them is still lacking, especially for species from the Global South. As such, new tools to help researchers collect data on these organisms very welcome. With this in mind, we investigated Brazilian observations iNaturalist assess feasibility available platform as a basis studies tropical gastropod fauna. The were filtered by country, Brazil, and higher taxa, namely Eupulmonata, Cyclophoroidea Helicinoidea, yielding sample 4,983 observations. These then reviewed search records rare or little-known species, found outside their previously known range, interesting ecological interactions. Exotic made up 35% 39% sampled records. most commonly observed Lissachatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822), Bradybaena similaris (Férussac, Drymaeus papyraceus (Mawe, 1823), interpunctus (E. von Martens, 1887), Limacus flavus (Linnaeus, 1758), Meghimatium pictum (Stoliczka, 1873), Cornu aspersum (O. F. Müller, 1774), Vaginulus taunaisii 1821), Ovachlamys fulgens (Gude, 1900), Bulimulus tenuissimus 1832). In total, 166 deemed interest purposes (e.g., range extensions, interactions), totalling 46 identified 16 at genus level. Among selected observations, pictures live specimens that only shells, such Megalobulimus pergranulatus (Pilsbry, 1901), bringing light appearances life. Two potentially belonging genera Plekocheilus Guilding, 1827 K. Miller, 1878 revealed. Additionally, living individuals two presumed be possibly extinct, Leiostracus carnavalescus Simone & Salvador, 2016, Gonyostomus egregius (Pfeiffer, 1845). We take opportunity discuss individual interest, evaluate quality possible improvements, well potential implications use research Brazil other countries. While has its limitations, it holds great document biodiversity tropics.

Язык: Английский

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Many cameras make light work: opportunistic photographs of rare species in iNaturalist complement structured surveys of reef fish to better understand species richness

Biodiversity and Conservation, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 31(4), С. 1407 - 1425

Опубликована: Март 1, 2022

Abstract Citizen science is on the rise, with growing numbers of initiatives, participants and increasing interest from broader scientific community. iNaturalist an example a successful citizen platform that enables users to opportunistically capture share biodiversity observations. Understanding how data such opportunistic platforms compare complement structured surveys will improve their use in future research. We compared fish photographs those obtained at eight study reefs Sydney, Australia over twelve years. recorded 1.2 5.5 times more species than resulting significantly greater annual richness half reefs, remainder showing no significant difference. likely due having simple methods, which allowed for broad participation substantially observation events (e.g., dives) same period. These results demonstrate value documenting richness, particularly where access marine environment common communities have time resources expensive recreational activities (i.e., underwater photography). The datasets also different composition recording many rare, less abundant, or cryptic while captured abundant species. suggest integrating both sources best outcome monitoring conservation activities.

Язык: Английский

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Recognition and completeness: two key metrics for judging the utility of citizen science data

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 21(4), С. 167 - 174

Опубликована: Янв. 27, 2023

Biodiversity citizen science data are being collected at unprecedented scales, and key for informing conservation research. Species‐level typically provide the most valuable information, but recognition of specimens to species level from photographs varies among taxa. We examined a large dataset Australian photographic observations terrestrial invertebrates uploaded iNaturalist quantify across different also quantified proportion that have been iNaturalist. Across 1,013,171 covering 14,663 (17.8% completeness), 617,045 (60.9%) were recognized species. Dragonflies/damselflies butterflies best‐recognized complete taxa, therefore represent best groups researchers managers intending use existing spatial temporal scales. The recruitment additional experts identify records, enhanced support accessible resources hard‐to‐identify will likely increase other

Язык: Английский

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Turning observations into biodiversity data: Broadscale spatial biases in community science

Ecosphere, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 14(6)

Опубликована: Июнь 1, 2023

Abstract Biodiversity community science projects are growing rapidly in popularity. The enormous amounts of data generated by these programs transforming how we conduct ecological research and conservation management. However, as with other biodiversity surveys, datasets suffer from biases time locations observations. To better use data, modeled the spatial present popular platform, iNaturalist. iNaturalist uses crowdsourcing to collect georeferenced time‐stamped observations all taxa worldwide. With its wealth is now being used answer a broad range questions ecology conservation, but little known about platform's biases. We focus on more than 1.75 million available (as December 2021) British Columbia, Canada, region strong presence diversity ecosystems. Using machine learning species distribution modeling, examined which landscape factors (e.g., protected areas, roads, human population density, habitat zones, elevation) were most important determining where taken, created predicted probability map revealing likely different regions be sampled scientists. found road for iNaturalist, over 94% within 1 km roads. In addition, density ecosystem zones played large role predicting occur across landscape. These methods demonstrate tools modeling effects opportunistic that can then produce accurate models data.

Язык: Английский

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Quantifying error in occurrence data: Comparing the data quality of iNaturalist and digitized herbarium specimen data in flowering plant families of the southeastern United States

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 18(12), С. e0295298 - e0295298

Опубликована: Дек. 7, 2023

iNaturalist has the potential to be an extremely rich source of organismal occurrence data. Launched in 2008, it now contains over 150 million uploaded observations as May 2023. Based on findings a limited number past studies assessing taxonomic accuracy participatory science-driven sources data such iNaturalist, there been concern that some portion these records might misidentified certain groups. In this case study, we compare Research Grade with digitized herbarium specimens, both which are currently available for combined download from large aggregators and therefore primary large-scale biodiversity/biogeography studies. Our comparisons were confined regionally southeastern United States (Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia). Occurrence ten plant families (Gentianaceae, Ericaceae, Melanthiaceae, Ulmaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Fagaceae, Cyperaceae, Juglandaceae, Apocynaceae) downloaded scored accuracy. We found comparable relatively low rate misidentification among specimens within study area. This finding illustrates utility high quality future research region, but also points key differences between types, giving each respective advantage, depending applications

Язык: Английский

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Crowdsourcing Geospatial Data for Earth and Human Observations: A Review

Journal of Remote Sensing, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 4

Опубликована: Дек. 28, 2023

The transformation from authoritative to user-generated data landscapes has garnered considerable attention, notably with the proliferation of crowdsourced geospatial data. Facilitated by advancements in digital technology and high-speed communication, this paradigm shift democratized collection, obliterating traditional barriers between producers users. While previous literature compartmentalized subject into distinct platforms application domains, review offers a holistic examination Employing narrative approach due interdisciplinary nature topic, we investigate both human Earth observations through initiatives. This categorizes diverse applications these rigorously examines specific paradigms pertinent collection. Furthermore, it addresses salient challenges, encompassing quality, inherent biases, ethical dimensions. We contend that thorough analysis will serve as an invaluable scholarly resource, encapsulating current state-of-the-art data, offering strategic directions for future research across various sectors.

Язык: Английский

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Increasing biodiversity knowledge through social media: A case study from tropical Bangladesh

BioScience, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 73(6), С. 453 - 459

Опубликована: Июнь 1, 2023

Abstract Citizen science programs are becoming increasingly popular among naturalists but remain heavily biased taxonomically and geographically. However, with the explosive popularity of social media near-ubiquitous availability smartphones, many post wildlife photographs on media. Here, we illustrate potential harvesting these data to enhance our biodiversity understanding using Bangladesh, a tropical biodiverse country, as case study. We compared records extracted from Facebook those Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), collating geospatial for 1013 unique species, including 970 species 712 GBIF. Although most observation were toward major cities, more evenly spatially distributed. About 86% Threatened Facebook, whereas GBIF almost entirely Of Least Concern species. To reduce global shortfall, key research priority now is development mechanisms extracting interpreting data.

Язык: Английский

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