Using camera traps to estimate ungulate abundance: a comparison of mark–resight methods
Abstract Many global wildlife populations are experiencing unprecedented declines. Estimates of population abundance are needed to effectively manage common species and to conserve vulnerable species. Camera traps have advanced as wildlife monitoring tools for ungulates and can provide improved meth...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/rse2.226 |
| _version_ | 1828864797995696128 |
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| author | Jace C. Taylor Steven B. Bates Jericho C. Whiting Brock R. McMillan Randy T. Larsen |
| author_facet | Jace C. Taylor Steven B. Bates Jericho C. Whiting Brock R. McMillan Randy T. Larsen |
| author_sort | Jace C. Taylor |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Many global wildlife populations are experiencing unprecedented declines. Estimates of population abundance are needed to effectively manage common species and to conserve vulnerable species. Camera traps have advanced as wildlife monitoring tools for ungulates and can provide improved methods of estimating population abundance. Little is known, however, about how camera traps set for ungulates compare with traditional methods (e.g., ground and aerial surveys) used simultaneously. From 2012 to 2014, we captured and radio collared 34 female and 32 male bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in a closed population in Utah, USA. Each collar had a unique letter and number combination. We then estimated number of young, females and yearlings, males and population abundance using multiple methods simultaneously: helicopter surveys, resight surveys performed from the ground, camera trap surveys using marked but not individually identifiable individuals and camera trap surveys using marked and individually identifiable animals. All methods estimated similar abundance. Across years, ages and sexes, however, camera trap surveys produced the most consistent and precise estimates of abundance for adult females and yearlings, lambs and the population. That method was less intrusive and safer than helicopter surveys. Our results indicate that camera trap surveys using photographs of marked animals in which the majority of the population visits a specific resource can produce precise estimates of abundance that are safer, as well as less intrusive and expensive than traditional methods. Using camera traps also creates a permanent record of photographs that can be archived and reanalyzed to answer future ecological and population questions. Finally, this method of estimating abundance can be used in other areas with ungulates that congregate around resources (e.g., watering sites or mineral licks). |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T04:15:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3ede453225924b298d43fa567f382782 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2056-3485 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T04:15:14Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation |
| spelling | doaj.art-3ede453225924b298d43fa567f3827822022-12-21T23:59:55ZengWileyRemote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation2056-34852022-02-0181324410.1002/rse2.226Using camera traps to estimate ungulate abundance: a comparison of mark–resight methodsJace C. Taylor0Steven B. Bates1Jericho C. Whiting2Brock R. McMillan3Randy T. Larsen4U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Vernal Utah USAAntelope Island State Park Syracuse Utah USADepartment of Biology Brigham Young University‐Idaho Rexburg Idaho USADepartment of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo Utah USADepartment of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo Utah USAAbstract Many global wildlife populations are experiencing unprecedented declines. Estimates of population abundance are needed to effectively manage common species and to conserve vulnerable species. Camera traps have advanced as wildlife monitoring tools for ungulates and can provide improved methods of estimating population abundance. Little is known, however, about how camera traps set for ungulates compare with traditional methods (e.g., ground and aerial surveys) used simultaneously. From 2012 to 2014, we captured and radio collared 34 female and 32 male bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in a closed population in Utah, USA. Each collar had a unique letter and number combination. We then estimated number of young, females and yearlings, males and population abundance using multiple methods simultaneously: helicopter surveys, resight surveys performed from the ground, camera trap surveys using marked but not individually identifiable individuals and camera trap surveys using marked and individually identifiable animals. All methods estimated similar abundance. Across years, ages and sexes, however, camera trap surveys produced the most consistent and precise estimates of abundance for adult females and yearlings, lambs and the population. That method was less intrusive and safer than helicopter surveys. Our results indicate that camera trap surveys using photographs of marked animals in which the majority of the population visits a specific resource can produce precise estimates of abundance that are safer, as well as less intrusive and expensive than traditional methods. Using camera traps also creates a permanent record of photographs that can be archived and reanalyzed to answer future ecological and population questions. Finally, this method of estimating abundance can be used in other areas with ungulates that congregate around resources (e.g., watering sites or mineral licks).https://doi.org/10.1002/rse2.226bighorn sheepmotion sensor camerasOvis canadensispopulation monitoringremote camerasungulates |
| spellingShingle | Jace C. Taylor Steven B. Bates Jericho C. Whiting Brock R. McMillan Randy T. Larsen Using camera traps to estimate ungulate abundance: a comparison of mark–resight methods Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation bighorn sheep motion sensor cameras Ovis canadensis population monitoring remote cameras ungulates |
| title | Using camera traps to estimate ungulate abundance: a comparison of mark–resight methods |
| title_full | Using camera traps to estimate ungulate abundance: a comparison of mark–resight methods |
| title_fullStr | Using camera traps to estimate ungulate abundance: a comparison of mark–resight methods |
| title_full_unstemmed | Using camera traps to estimate ungulate abundance: a comparison of mark–resight methods |
| title_short | Using camera traps to estimate ungulate abundance: a comparison of mark–resight methods |
| title_sort | using camera traps to estimate ungulate abundance a comparison of mark resight methods |
| topic | bighorn sheep motion sensor cameras Ovis canadensis population monitoring remote cameras ungulates |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/rse2.226 |
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