Estimates of Species Richness and Composition Depend on Detection Method in Assemblages of Terrestrial Mammals
Detecting rapid changes in mammal composition at large spatial scales requires efficient detection methods. Many studies estimate species composition with a single survey method without asking whether that particular method optimises detection for all occurring species and yields reliable community-...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/1/186 |
| _version_ | 1797411513522192384 |
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| author | Bruno D. Suárez-Tangil Alejandro Rodríguez |
| author_facet | Bruno D. Suárez-Tangil Alejandro Rodríguez |
| author_sort | Bruno D. Suárez-Tangil |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Detecting rapid changes in mammal composition at large spatial scales requires efficient detection methods. Many studies estimate species composition with a single survey method without asking whether that particular method optimises detection for all occurring species and yields reliable community-level indices. We explore the implications of between-method differences in efficiency, consistency, and sampling effort for the basic characterisation of assemblages of medium to large mammals in a region with three contrasted Mediterranean landscapes. We assessed differences between camera traps, scent stations, scat surveys, and track surveys. Using track surveys, we detected all species present in the regional pool (13) and obtained the most accurate description of local species richness and composition with the lowest sampling effort (16 sampling units and 2 survey sessions at most). Had we chosen camera traps, scent stations, or scat surveys as the only survey method, we would have underestimated species richness (9, 11, and 12 species, respectively) and misrepresented species composition in varying degrees. Preliminary studies of method performance inform whether single or multiple survey methods are needed and eventually which single method might be most appropriate. Without such a formal assessment current practices may produce unreliable and incomplete species inventories, ultimately leading to incorrect conclusions about the impact of human activity on mammal communities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:47:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a8aecbb3052e48339e22a4b53ae186c9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:47:09Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-a8aecbb3052e48339e22a4b53ae186c92023-12-03T13:14:31ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152021-01-0111118610.3390/ani11010186Estimates of Species Richness and Composition Depend on Detection Method in Assemblages of Terrestrial MammalsBruno D. Suárez-Tangil0Alejandro Rodríguez1Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana—CSIC, Américo Vespucio 26, 41092 Sevilla, SpainDepartment of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana—CSIC, Américo Vespucio 26, 41092 Sevilla, SpainDetecting rapid changes in mammal composition at large spatial scales requires efficient detection methods. Many studies estimate species composition with a single survey method without asking whether that particular method optimises detection for all occurring species and yields reliable community-level indices. We explore the implications of between-method differences in efficiency, consistency, and sampling effort for the basic characterisation of assemblages of medium to large mammals in a region with three contrasted Mediterranean landscapes. We assessed differences between camera traps, scent stations, scat surveys, and track surveys. Using track surveys, we detected all species present in the regional pool (13) and obtained the most accurate description of local species richness and composition with the lowest sampling effort (16 sampling units and 2 survey sessions at most). Had we chosen camera traps, scent stations, or scat surveys as the only survey method, we would have underestimated species richness (9, 11, and 12 species, respectively) and misrepresented species composition in varying degrees. Preliminary studies of method performance inform whether single or multiple survey methods are needed and eventually which single method might be most appropriate. Without such a formal assessment current practices may produce unreliable and incomplete species inventories, ultimately leading to incorrect conclusions about the impact of human activity on mammal communities.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/1/186consistencyefficiencylarge-scalemammal communitiesrapid surveyssampling effort |
| spellingShingle | Bruno D. Suárez-Tangil Alejandro Rodríguez Estimates of Species Richness and Composition Depend on Detection Method in Assemblages of Terrestrial Mammals Animals consistency efficiency large-scale mammal communities rapid surveys sampling effort |
| title | Estimates of Species Richness and Composition Depend on Detection Method in Assemblages of Terrestrial Mammals |
| title_full | Estimates of Species Richness and Composition Depend on Detection Method in Assemblages of Terrestrial Mammals |
| title_fullStr | Estimates of Species Richness and Composition Depend on Detection Method in Assemblages of Terrestrial Mammals |
| title_full_unstemmed | Estimates of Species Richness and Composition Depend on Detection Method in Assemblages of Terrestrial Mammals |
| title_short | Estimates of Species Richness and Composition Depend on Detection Method in Assemblages of Terrestrial Mammals |
| title_sort | estimates of species richness and composition depend on detection method in assemblages of terrestrial mammals |
| topic | consistency efficiency large-scale mammal communities rapid surveys sampling effort |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/1/186 |
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