An effective survey method for studying volant species activity and behavior at tall structures
The effects of anthropogenic modification of air space on wildlife, particularly volant species, is not fully understood. Thus, it is essential to understand wildlife-interactions with tall structures to implement effective mitigation strategies. Yet, we are currently lacking standard protocols for...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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PeerJ Inc.
2020-02-01
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| Series: | PeerJ |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/8438.pdf |
| _version_ | 1797424245269069824 |
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| author | Brynn E. Huzzen Amanda M. Hale Victoria J. Bennett |
| author_facet | Brynn E. Huzzen Amanda M. Hale Victoria J. Bennett |
| author_sort | Brynn E. Huzzen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The effects of anthropogenic modification of air space on wildlife, particularly volant species, is not fully understood. Thus, it is essential to understand wildlife-interactions with tall structures to implement effective mitigation strategies. Yet, we are currently lacking standard protocols for visual surveys of wildlife behavior at such heights. Our study sought to determine an effective, repeatable method using readily available night vision and thermal technology to survey wildlife at tall structures. Using bats as the taxonomic group of interest, we (1) created a key to identify bats and their behavior, (2) compared the effectiveness of 2 different technologies, and (3) assessed optimal equipment placement to visually capture bat activity and behavior in proximity to wind turbine towers. For the latter, we tested thermal cameras at four distances from the base of the tower. The results of our study revealed that thermal cameras captured ∼34% more flying animals than night vision at a 2 m distance. However, due to the heat signature of the turbine towers themselves, it was challenging to identify behaviors and interactions that occurred in close proximity to the towers. In contrast, it was difficult to identify bats approaching the towers using night vision, yet we were able to clearly observe interactions with the towers themselves. With regards to equipment placement, we visually captured more bats with the thermal cameras placed 2 m from the tower base compared to farther distances. From our findings, we recommend that when using either thermal or night vision technology at tall structures, they be placed 2 m from the base to effectively observe interactions along the length of these structures. In addition, we further recommend that consideration be given to the use of these two technology types together to effectively conduct such surveys. If these survey techniques are incorporated into standard protocols, future surveys at a variety of tall structures are likely to become comparable and repeatable, thereby more effectively informing any mitigation strategies that may be required. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T07:59:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4e752a309bfb4f00af1574e3680e4ac5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T07:59:31Z |
| publishDate | 2020-02-01 |
| publisher | PeerJ Inc. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PeerJ |
| spelling | doaj.art-4e752a309bfb4f00af1574e3680e4ac52023-12-03T00:48:35ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592020-02-018e843810.7717/peerj.8438An effective survey method for studying volant species activity and behavior at tall structuresBrynn E. Huzzen0Amanda M. Hale1Victoria J. Bennett2Department of Environmental Sciences, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, United States of AmericaDepartment of Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, United States of AmericaDepartment of Environmental Sciences, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, United States of AmericaThe effects of anthropogenic modification of air space on wildlife, particularly volant species, is not fully understood. Thus, it is essential to understand wildlife-interactions with tall structures to implement effective mitigation strategies. Yet, we are currently lacking standard protocols for visual surveys of wildlife behavior at such heights. Our study sought to determine an effective, repeatable method using readily available night vision and thermal technology to survey wildlife at tall structures. Using bats as the taxonomic group of interest, we (1) created a key to identify bats and their behavior, (2) compared the effectiveness of 2 different technologies, and (3) assessed optimal equipment placement to visually capture bat activity and behavior in proximity to wind turbine towers. For the latter, we tested thermal cameras at four distances from the base of the tower. The results of our study revealed that thermal cameras captured ∼34% more flying animals than night vision at a 2 m distance. However, due to the heat signature of the turbine towers themselves, it was challenging to identify behaviors and interactions that occurred in close proximity to the towers. In contrast, it was difficult to identify bats approaching the towers using night vision, yet we were able to clearly observe interactions with the towers themselves. With regards to equipment placement, we visually captured more bats with the thermal cameras placed 2 m from the tower base compared to farther distances. From our findings, we recommend that when using either thermal or night vision technology at tall structures, they be placed 2 m from the base to effectively observe interactions along the length of these structures. In addition, we further recommend that consideration be given to the use of these two technology types together to effectively conduct such surveys. If these survey techniques are incorporated into standard protocols, future surveys at a variety of tall structures are likely to become comparable and repeatable, thereby more effectively informing any mitigation strategies that may be required.https://peerj.com/articles/8438.pdfAnthropogenic impactsAirspace modifcationChiropteraNight vision technologyThermal camerasWildlife interactions |
| spellingShingle | Brynn E. Huzzen Amanda M. Hale Victoria J. Bennett An effective survey method for studying volant species activity and behavior at tall structures PeerJ Anthropogenic impacts Airspace modifcation Chiroptera Night vision technology Thermal cameras Wildlife interactions |
| title | An effective survey method for studying volant species activity and behavior at tall structures |
| title_full | An effective survey method for studying volant species activity and behavior at tall structures |
| title_fullStr | An effective survey method for studying volant species activity and behavior at tall structures |
| title_full_unstemmed | An effective survey method for studying volant species activity and behavior at tall structures |
| title_short | An effective survey method for studying volant species activity and behavior at tall structures |
| title_sort | effective survey method for studying volant species activity and behavior at tall structures |
| topic | Anthropogenic impacts Airspace modifcation Chiroptera Night vision technology Thermal cameras Wildlife interactions |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/8438.pdf |
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