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Rahel Sollmann - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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combining Camera Trapping and noninvasive genetic data in a spatial capture recapture framework improves density estimates for the jaguar
Biological Conservation, 2013Co-Authors: Rahel Sollmann, Natalia Mundim Torres, Mariana Malzoni Furtado, Anah Tereza De Almeida Jacomo, Francisco Palomares, Severine Roques, Leandro SilveiraAbstract:Abstract Abundance and density are key pieces of information for questions related to ecology and conservation. These quantities, however, are difficult to obtain for rare and elusive species, where even intensive sampling effort can yield sparse data. Here, we combine data from Camera-Trapping and noninvasive genetic sampling (scat surveys) of a jaguar population in the Caatinga of northeastern Brazil, where the species is threatened and little studied. We analyze data of both survey types separately and jointly in the framework of spatial capture–recapture. Density estimates were 1.45 (±0.46) for the Camera-trap data alone, 2.03 (±0.77) for the genetic data alone, and 1.57 (±0.43) and 2.45 (±0.70) for the two methods, respectively, in the joint analysis. Density and other parameters were estimated more precisely in the joint model. Particularly the differences in movement between males and females were estimated much more precisely when combining both data sources, especially compared to the genetic data set alone. When compared to a previous non-spatial capture–recapture approach, present density estimates were more precise, demonstrating the superior statistical performance of spatial over non-spatial capture recapture models. The ability to combine different surveys into a single analysis with shared parameter allows for more precise population estimates, while at the same time enabling researchers to employ complementary survey techniques in the study of little known species.
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risky business or simple solution relative abundance indices from Camera Trapping
Biological Conservation, 2013Co-Authors: Rahel Sollmann, Azlan Mohamed, Hiromitsu Samejima, Andreas WiltingAbstract:Camera-traps are a widely applied to monitor wildlife populations. For individually marked species, capture–recapture models provide robust population estimates, but for unmarked species, inference is often based on relative abundance indices (RAI, number of records per trap effort), although these do not account for imperfect and variable detection. We use a simulation study and empirical Camera-Trapping data to illustrate how ecological and sampling-related factors can bias RAIs. Our simulations showed that (1) differences in detection between species led to bias in RAI ratios toward the more detectable species, especially at low detection levels, (2) species with larger home ranges were photographed more often, inflating RAIs, (3) species specific responses to different types of trap setup biased RAI ratios, and (4) changes in detection over time blurred true population trends inferred from RAIs. Empirical data for leopard cats Prionailurus bengalensis and common palm civets Paradoxurus hermaphroditus showed that traps set up along roads led to higher RAIs than off-road traps, but targeting roads increased detection more for leopard cats than for common palm civets. Comparing RAIs of Sunda clouded leopards Neofelis diardi and leopard cats with spatial capture–recapture based density estimates across sites, RAIs did not reflect differences in density. Analytical options for estimating density from Camera-Trapping data of unmarked populations are limited. Consequently, we fear that RAIs will continue to be applied. This is alarming, since these measures often form the basis for conservation and management decisions. We suggest considering alternative analytical and survey methods, especially when dealing with threatened species.
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Risky business or simple solution - Relative abundance indices from Camera-Trapping
Biological Conservation, 2013Co-Authors: Rahel Sollmann, Azlan Mohamed, Hiromitsu Samejima, Andreas WiltingAbstract:Camera-traps are a widely applied to monitor wildlife populations. For individually marked species, capture-recapture models provide robust population estimates, but for unmarked species, inference is often based on relative abundance indices (RAI, number of records per trap effort), although these do not account for imperfect and variable detection. We use a simulation study and empirical Camera-Trapping data to illustrate how ecological and sampling-related factors can bias RAIs. Our simulations showed that (1) differences in detection between species led to bias in RAI ratios toward the more detectable species, especially at low detection levels, (2) species with larger home ranges were photographed more often, inflating RAIs, (3) species specific responses to different types of trap setup biased RAI ratios, and (4) changes in detection over time blurred true population trends inferred from RAIs. Empirical data for leopard cats Prionailurus bengalensis and common palm civets Paradoxurus hermaphroditus showed that traps set up along roads led to higher RAIs than off-road traps, but targeting roads increased detection more for leopard cats than for common palm civets. Comparing RAIs of Sunda clouded leopards Neofelis diardi and leopard cats with spatial capture-recapture based density estimates across sites, RAIs did not reflect differences in density. Analytical options for estimating density from Camera-Trapping data of unmarked populations are limited. Consequently, we fear that RAIs will continue to be applied. This is alarming, since these measures often form the basis for conservation and management decisions. We suggest considering alternative analytical and survey methods, especially when dealing with threatened species. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
Andreas Wilting - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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risky business or simple solution relative abundance indices from Camera Trapping
Biological Conservation, 2013Co-Authors: Rahel Sollmann, Azlan Mohamed, Hiromitsu Samejima, Andreas WiltingAbstract:Camera-traps are a widely applied to monitor wildlife populations. For individually marked species, capture–recapture models provide robust population estimates, but for unmarked species, inference is often based on relative abundance indices (RAI, number of records per trap effort), although these do not account for imperfect and variable detection. We use a simulation study and empirical Camera-Trapping data to illustrate how ecological and sampling-related factors can bias RAIs. Our simulations showed that (1) differences in detection between species led to bias in RAI ratios toward the more detectable species, especially at low detection levels, (2) species with larger home ranges were photographed more often, inflating RAIs, (3) species specific responses to different types of trap setup biased RAI ratios, and (4) changes in detection over time blurred true population trends inferred from RAIs. Empirical data for leopard cats Prionailurus bengalensis and common palm civets Paradoxurus hermaphroditus showed that traps set up along roads led to higher RAIs than off-road traps, but targeting roads increased detection more for leopard cats than for common palm civets. Comparing RAIs of Sunda clouded leopards Neofelis diardi and leopard cats with spatial capture–recapture based density estimates across sites, RAIs did not reflect differences in density. Analytical options for estimating density from Camera-Trapping data of unmarked populations are limited. Consequently, we fear that RAIs will continue to be applied. This is alarming, since these measures often form the basis for conservation and management decisions. We suggest considering alternative analytical and survey methods, especially when dealing with threatened species.
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Risky business or simple solution - Relative abundance indices from Camera-Trapping
Biological Conservation, 2013Co-Authors: Rahel Sollmann, Azlan Mohamed, Hiromitsu Samejima, Andreas WiltingAbstract:Camera-traps are a widely applied to monitor wildlife populations. For individually marked species, capture-recapture models provide robust population estimates, but for unmarked species, inference is often based on relative abundance indices (RAI, number of records per trap effort), although these do not account for imperfect and variable detection. We use a simulation study and empirical Camera-Trapping data to illustrate how ecological and sampling-related factors can bias RAIs. Our simulations showed that (1) differences in detection between species led to bias in RAI ratios toward the more detectable species, especially at low detection levels, (2) species with larger home ranges were photographed more often, inflating RAIs, (3) species specific responses to different types of trap setup biased RAI ratios, and (4) changes in detection over time blurred true population trends inferred from RAIs. Empirical data for leopard cats Prionailurus bengalensis and common palm civets Paradoxurus hermaphroditus showed that traps set up along roads led to higher RAIs than off-road traps, but targeting roads increased detection more for leopard cats than for common palm civets. Comparing RAIs of Sunda clouded leopards Neofelis diardi and leopard cats with spatial capture-recapture based density estimates across sites, RAIs did not reflect differences in density. Analytical options for estimating density from Camera-Trapping data of unmarked populations are limited. Consequently, we fear that RAIs will continue to be applied. This is alarming, since these measures often form the basis for conservation and management decisions. We suggest considering alternative analytical and survey methods, especially when dealing with threatened species. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
Andrew J Noss - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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brazilian tapir density in the pantanal a comparison of systematic Camera Trapping and line transect surveys
Biotropica, 2008Co-Authors: Mogens Trolle, Andrew J Noss, Jose Luis Passos Cordeiro, Luiz Flamarion B OliveiraAbstract:The density of Brazilian tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) was studied in the northeastern part of the Pantanal wetlands of Brazil using two simultaneous and independent methods: (1) systematic Camera Trapping combined with capture–recapture analysis, with Camera traps spaced 1 km apart and distributed over 54 km2; and (2) line-transect sampling using an array of 12 linear transects, from 3.8 to 7.2 km long, covering the principal open and forest habitat types across the entire 1063 km2 SESC Pantanal Reserve. The two methods yielded conservative density estimates of 0.58 ± 0.11 tapirs/km2 (Camera Trapping) and 0.55 (95% CI 0.30–1.01) tapirs/km2 (line transects). The study suggests that certain Pantanal habitats and sites can sustain relatively high population densities of tapirs when these animals are protected from hunting. Further testing of the Camera-Trapping methodology as applied to tapirs is required, particularly focusing on extending the survey period. As it represents a relatively rapid method for estimating population density, in comparison to line-transect surveys, and as it generates information simultaneously on multiple species that are conservation priorities, we recommend that Camera-Trapping surveys be applied more widely across a variety of Pantanal habitats and land-use categories in order to confirm the value of the vast 140,000 km2 wilderness region for this vulnerable species. RESUMO A densidade de Tapirus terrestris foi avaliada na regiao Nordeste do Pantanal do Mato Grosso usando dois metodos simultâneos e independentes: 1) metodo sistematico com armadilhas fotograficas, combinado com analises de captura e recaptura, com câmaras fotograficas espacadas 1 km entre si e distribuidas sobre uma area de 54 km2, dispostas em 4 grades continuas, com 14 câmaras ativas por 9 dias consecutivos em cada grade; e 2) 12 transeccoes lineares variando em dimensoes de 3,8–7,2 km de extensao, cobrindo os principais habitats abertos e fechados, sobre uma regiao de 1063 km2 da Reserva Particular do Patrimonio Natural SESC Pantanal. Os dois metodos resultaram em estimativas de densidade de 0.58 ± 0.11 antas/km2 (câmaras fotograficas) e 0.55 (95% intervalo de confianca 0.30–1.01) antas/km2 (transeccoes lineares). Os resultados sugerem que certos habitats e areas do Pantanal podem sustentar densidades relativamente elevadas de antas, quando protegidas da caca. A metodologia utilizando câmaras fotograficas em estudos sobre antas deve ser testada incrementando periodos de avaliacao. Como o metodo representa uma forma rapida de avaliacao das densidades populacionais, em comparacao com transeccoes lineares, e gera informacoes simultâneas sobre multiplas especies que podem ser prioritarias para conservacao, recomendamos que avaliacoes com armadilhas fotograficas sejam amplamente aplicadas para a especie na variedade de habitats do Pantanal, visando afirmar o valor dessa vasta e selvagem regiao de 140.000 km2.
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geoffroy s cats at the northern limit of their range activity patterns and density estimates from Camera Trapping in bolivian dry forests
Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment, 2006Co-Authors: Erika Cuellar, Leonardo Maffei, Rosario L Arispe, Andrew J NossAbstract:We used Camera traps to survey Geoffroy's cats, Oncifelis geoffroyi, at six dry forest sites in Bolivia. Cumulative activity patterns across all sites are principally nocturnal though the species is active by day in both summer and winter. At two sites the number of captures and recaptures was sufficient to estimate abundance using the software Capture, and in turn a population density of 9–40 per 100 km2 for the two sites. Geoffroy's cats are present in all dry forest types surveyed: Chaco savannas, Chaco dry forest, Chaco transitional forest, Chaco‐Chiquitano transitional forest, Chaco‐Cerrado transitional forest and Chiquitano dry forest. They are most abundant at the driest site, the only one with grassland formations and where ocelots are absent. Camera Trapping records tend to be more numerous in the dry season, suggesting seasonal changes in behavior and habitat use. Resumen Empleamos trampas‐camara para muestrear Oncifelis geoffroyi en seis sitios ubicados en bosques secos de Bolivia. El patron de...
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ocelot felis pardalis population densities activity and ranging behaviour in the dry forests of eastern bolivia data from Camera Trapping
Journal of Tropical Ecology, 2005Co-Authors: Leonardo Maffei, Andrew J Noss, Erika Cuellar, Damian I RumizAbstract:In comparison with the Neotropical big cats, jaguar ( Panthera onca L.) and puma ( Felis concolor L.), medium and small felids are poorly studied. Furthermore, studying wild felids in forest habitats is extremely difficult using direct methods given that most species are principally nocturnal and secretive (Gittleman 1996). Indirect methods are therefore particularly important, e.g. radio-telemetry (Emmons 1987, 1988; Konecny 1989, Ludlow & Sunquist 1987) or Camera Trapping (Maffei et al . 2002, Trolle & Kery 2003). Using systematic Camera trap surveys, we compare the population density of ocelots ( Felis pardalis L.) across five Bolivian dry-forest sites with different habitat types and/or annual rainfall regimes (Table 1). We hypothesize that ocelot densities will decline as rainfall declines. In addition, we estimate the population of ocelots in the 34 400-km 2 Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park. Finally, we describe and evaluate additional ecological information provided by Camera Trapping: activity patterns relative to seasonality and moon phase, sex ratios, ranging patterns and relative abundance compared with sympatric felids.
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one thousand jaguars panthera onca in bolivia s chaco Camera Trapping in the kaa iya national park
Journal of Zoology, 2004Co-Authors: Leonardo Maffei, Erika Cuellar, Andrew J NossAbstract:This paper reports on efforts to trap jaguars Panthera onca on Camera in the dry forests of the Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park in Bolivia. Ad hoc Camera Trapping provided certain information on jaguar presence and habits, but was limited in application. Activity patterns showed that jaguars are active all day, particularly at one of three sites, with peaks in the morning and evening the more common pattern. Minimum observed home range was variable, with males (up to 65 km 2 ) occupying more area than females (up to 29 km 2 ). The authors adapted systematic methodologies first developed to survey tigers in India, based on individually distinctive pelage patterns in tigers and jaguars. Abundance is estimated using capture–recapture statistical analysis, and a sample area defined based on the maximum distance that individual jaguars move during the sample period. The methodology has proved successful for jaguars in dry Chaco forest, population densities of 1/30–45 km 2 and 1/20 km 2 are estimated in the two most extensive landscape systems of Kaa-Iya. The entire 34 400 km 2 protected area is estimated to sustain a population of over 1000 adult and juvenile jaguars, the largest single population of jaguar reported anywhere, and a viable population for long-term jaguar conservation.
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Camera Trapping priodontes maximus in the dry forests of santa cruz bolivia
2004Co-Authors: Andrew J Noss, Damian I Rumiz, Romoaldo Pena, Museo Noel, Kempff MercadoAbstract:During systematic Camera Trapping surveys conducted for jaguars, we collected photographs of giant armadillos at three of four dry forest (Chaco and Chiquitano) sites surveyed in eastern lowland Bolivia, thus extending the documented distribution of the species. The cumulative 30 Camera trap records with time information suggest a highly nocturnal activity pattern. We identified individu als according to the distinct scale patterns, particularly the dividing line between dark and light scales on the carapace and hind legs. We estimated crude densities, ranging from 1-16 individuals/100 km 2 across sites and surveys, by dividing the number of individuals by the area enclosed by the Camera traps. At one site the number of captures and recaptures was sufficient to estimate abundance us ing the software Capture, together with a survey area that includes a buffer area around the Camera traps equivalent to half the mean maximum distance covered by individual animals observed at more than one Camera trap location. Together these estimates suggest a population density of 5.77-6.28/100 km 2 for this site. Given the vast area (11,500 km 2 ) of similar habitat protected within the Kaa-Iya National Park, and preliminary evidence of the species in neighboring protected areas, the dry forests of eastern Santa Cruz may offer a unique stronghold for the long-term conservation of the species.
Francesco Rovero - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the influence of human disturbance on occupancy and activity patterns of mammals in the italian alps from systematic Camera Trapping
Mammalian Biology, 2017Co-Authors: Valentina Oberosler, Aaron Iemma, Claudio Groff, Paolo Pedrini, Francesco RoveroAbstract:Abstract As human activities increase in natural areas, so do threats to wildlife, potentially leading to immediate and long-term impacts on species distribution, activity, reproduction and survival. This is particularly relevant for large-bodied vertebrates that are especially sensitive to human presence and human-driven habitat changes. Assessing the impact of anthropogenic disturbance requires data on distribution and activity patterns of target species in relation to human presence and infrastructures. Here, we used Camera trap data to study the influence of anthropogenic disturbance on the community of medium-to-large mammals in a mountainous area in the eastern Italian Alps, with emphasis on the local population of brown bear ( Ursus arctos ). In 2015, we sampled a study area of 220 km 2 with 60 Camera trap locations adopting a systematic grid. Such design was inspired by the terrestrial vertebrate monitoring protocol developed by the TEAM Network, a pan-tropical biodiversity programme. Camera traps run for 30 days in each site and cumulated 1978 Camera Trapping days, yielding 1514 detection events of 12 species of mammals. For the 8 most recorded species, we used detection/non-detection data to model estimated occupancy and detection probability in relation to a suite of environmental and disturbance covariates. Our analysis revealed that human disturbance plays a significant role in influencing species-specific detection probability, while we found little evidence of significant relationship between occupancy and anthropogenic disturbance. For example, we found that brown bear’s detectability was negatively correlated with capture rate of humans at sampling sites, and positively correlated with distance from settlements. We also assessed species-specific daily activity patterns and found that, for all species, the overlap with human diel pattern decreased significantly at sites with higher human presence. We also discuss the potential of our approach for cost-efficient and long-term monitoring of mammals.
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Camera Trapping surveys of forest mammal communities in the eastern arc mountains reveal generalized habitat and human disturbance responses
Biodiversity and Conservation, 2017Co-Authors: Francesco Rovero, Nisha Owen, Trevor Jones, Elisabetta Canteri, Aaron Iemma, Clara TattoniAbstract:Large-bodied mammals are a rich and diversified faunal group in tropical rainforests. However, knowledge on community size and composition, and on species’ distribution and ecology remains often scant and inadequate against their chronic status of threats. We used Camera Trapping to detect mammals in the forests of the Eastern Arc Mountains (EAM) of Tanzania, a world renowned region for biodiversity comprised by a series of distinct and ancient mountain ranges partially covered in moist montane forest. We conducted surveys from 2003 to 2011 in eight of the 12 mountain blocks in Tanzania, and, through an overall sampling effort of 11,500 Camera days, we detected 43 species. We normalized species richness and species’ detection events by effort, and used these metrics to assess the effect of habitat and human disturbance variables. We found that rarefied richness is positively affected by forest area at the block level, and that richness at forest patch level is also affected by forest area as well as surrounding human density (negative effect). For a subset of 17 species, we found consistent patterns of avoidance or tolerance of human disturbance and forest edges, and increased occurrence in areas at higher elevation, matching the historical forest loss that in most mountains occurred at lower elevation. Our study provides ecological insights that are novel for most species and sites, and reveals a general trend of negative impact of human disturbance on both community size and species’ relative abundance. Increased protection of the EAM forests in Tanzania is of urgent importance for the persistence of diversified mammal communities.
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Camera Trapping for inventorying terrestrial vertebrates
Manual on field recording techniques and protocols for All Taxa Biodiversity Inventories and Monitoring, 2010Co-Authors: Francesco Rovero, Michael Tobler, J SandersonAbstract:The use of automatic Cameras triggered by passing animals (Camera Trapping) is a fundamental technique to record medium to large mammals and terrestrial birds in the field. Photographs provide objective records, or evidence, of an animal's presence and identity. The method underwent enormous advance and has been increasingly used in the last decade. Besides faunal inventories and assessments of activity pattern, relative abundance and habitat preference, inferential sampling studies using Camera traps allow estimations of occupancy and density. As such, Camera Trapping is a fundamental method for All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) projects. Following an introduction with historical background, we describe the various phases of using Camera Trapping with ample details on the practical aspects from the choice of Camera model and setting of Cameras in the field to the analysis of photographs, and storing and management of data. Key study designs and analytical procedures are described, particularly species inventory and occupancy studies, and their application to design monitoring programmes.
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Camera Trapping photographic rate as an index of density in forest ungulates
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2009Co-Authors: Francesco Rovero, Andrew R. MarshallAbstract:Summary 1. Calibrating indices of animal abundance to true densities is critical in wildlife studies especially when direct density estimations are precluded by high costs, lack of required data or model parameters, elusiveness and rarity of target species. For studies deploying Camera traps, the use of photographic rate (photographs per sampling time) as an index of abundance potentially applies to the majority of terrestrial mammals where individual recognition, and hence capture–recapture analysis, are unfeasible. The very few studies addressing this method have either been limited by lack of independence between Trapping rates and density estimations, or because they combined different species, thus introducing potential bias in Camera trap detection rates. This study uses a single model species from several sites to analyse calibration of Trapping rates to independently derived estimations of density. The study also makes the first field test of the method by Rowcliffe et al. (2008) for density derivation from Camera Trapping rates based on modelling animal-Camera contacts. 2. We deployed Camera traps along line transects at six sites in the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania and correlated Trapping rates of Harvey’s duiker Cephalophus harveyi with densities estimated from counts made along the same transects. 3. We found a strong, linear relationship (R 2 =0 AE90) between Trapping rate and density. Sampling precision analysis indicates that Camera Trapping rates reach satisfactory precision when Trapping effort amounts to 250–300 Camera days. Density estimates using Rowcliffe et al.’s (2008) gas model conversion are higher than from transect censuses; we discuss the possible reasons and stress the need for more field tests. 4. Synthesis and applications. Subject to rigorous and periodic calibration, and standardization of sampling procedures in time and over different sites, Camera Trapping rate is shown to be, in this study, a valid index of density in the target species. Comparative data indicate that this may also apply to forest ungulates in general. The method has great potential for standardizing monitoring programmes and reducing the costs of wildlife surveys, especially in remote areas.
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Camera Trapping photographic rate as an index of density in forest ungulates
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2009Co-Authors: Francesco Rovero, Andrew R. MarshallAbstract:1. Calibrating indices of animal abundance to true densities is critical in wildlife studies especially when direct density estimations are precluded by high costs, lack of required data or model parameters, elusiveness and rarity of target species. For studies deploying Camera traps, the use of photographic rate (photographs per sampling time) as an index of abundance potentially applies to the majority of terrestrial mammals where individual recognition, and hence capture–recapture analysis, are unfeasible. The very few studies addressing this method have either been limited by lack of independence between Trapping rates and density estimations, or because they combined different species, thus introducing potential bias in Camera trap detection rates. This study uses a single model species from several sites to analyze calibration of Trapping rates to independently derived estimations of density. The study also makes the first field test of the method by Rowcliffe et al. (2008) for density derivation from Camera Trapping rates based on modeling animal-Camera contacts. 2. We deployed Camera traps along line transects at six sites in the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania and correlated Trapping rates of Harvey’s duiker Cephalophus harveyi with densities estimated from counts made along the same transects. 3. We found a strong, linear relationship ( R2 = 0·90) between Trapping rate and density. Sampling precision analysis indicates that Camera Trapping rates reach satisfactory precision when Trapping effort amounts to 250–300 Camera days. Density estimates using Rowcliffe et al.’s (2008) gas model conversion are higher than from transect censuses; we discuss the possible reasons and stress the need for more field tests. 4. Synthesis and applications. Subject to rigorous and periodic calibration, and standardization of sampling procedures in time and over different sites, Camera Trapping rate is shown to be, in this study, a valid index of density in the target species. Comparative data indicate that this may also apply to forest ungulates in general. The method has great potential for standardizing monitoring programs and reducing the costs of wildlife surveys, especially in remote areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Applied Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Bernardino Ragni - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a non invasive monitoring on european wildcat felis silvestris silvestris schreber 1777 in sicily using hair Trapping and Camera Trapping does it work
Hystrix-italian Journal of Mammalogy, 2012Co-Authors: Stefano Anile, Carmelo Arrabito, Maria Vittoria Mazzamuto, Davide Scornavacca, Bernardino RagniAbstract:An hair Trapping protocol, with Camera Trapping surveillance, was carried out on the south-western side of the Etna, inhabited by an abundant population of the European wildcat. We aimed to collect hair for genetic analysis on the base of a field study conducted in Switzerland, where valerian tincture had been used to attract wildcats to rub again wooden sticks and therefore leaving hairs. We placed 18 hair Trapping stations, plus one Camera trap per scented wooden stick, 1 km away from each other for 60 days (October 29 2010 to December 28 2010). The rate of “capture” success (1 capture / 24.5 trap-days) by Camera Trapping was substantially the same as those obtained during previous surveys performed in the same study area without the use of any attractants. No wildcats were photographed while rubbing against the wooden sticks, neither any wildcat was interested in the scent lure. We discuss limitations of the hair Trapping, providing possible explanations on the failure of valerian tincture, while suggesting some field advices for future monitorings.
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population density estimation of the european wildcat felis silvestris silvestris in sicily using Camera Trapping
Wildlife Biology in Practice, 2012Co-Authors: Stefano Anile, Carlo Amico, Bernardino RagniAbstract:The wildcat is an elusive species that is threatened with extinction in many areas of its European distribution. In Sicily the wildcat lives in a wide range of habitats; this study was done on Mount Etna. A previous Camera trap monitoring was conducted in 2006 (pilot study) and 2007 (first estimation of wildcat population size using Camera Trapping with capture-recapture analyses) in the same study area. In 2009 digital Camera traps in pair were used at each station with the aim of obtaining photographs of the wildcat. Experience and data collected from previous studies were used to develop a protocol to estimate the density of the wildcat’s population using capture–recapture analyses and the coat-colour and markings system to recognize individuals. Two trap-lines adjacent to each other were run in two consecutive data collection periods. Camera traps worked together for 1080 trap-days and we obtained 42 pictures of wildcats from 32 events of photographic capture, from which 10 individuals ( excluding four kittens) were determined. The history capture of each individual was constructed and the software CAPTURE was used to generate an estimation of the population density (0.22 to 0.44 wildcat/100 ha) for our study area using two different approaches for the calculation of the effective area sampled. The wildcat’s population density on Mount Etna is higher than those found throughout Europe, and is favoured by the habitat structure, prey availability, Mediterranean climate and the protection status provided by the park.
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Camera Trapping the european wildcat felis silvestris silvestris in sicily southern italy preliminary results
2009Co-Authors: Stefano Anile, Lolita Bizzarri, Bernardino RagniAbstract:The wildcat is an elusive species that is threatened with extinction in many parts of its range. In Sicily it still lives in a wide range of habitats. During 2006, Camera traps were used to investigate the distribution of the wildcat over a 660 ha wide area on the south-western slope of Mount Etna (NE Sicily). Twelve out of 18 Trapping stations provided a total of 24 photographs. Nine different individuals were identified using morphological criteria. Our work confirms the suitability of Camera Trapping for monitoring elusive carnivores.
