A comparison of vertical and horizontal camera trap orientations for detection of potoroos and bandicoots
Justine K. Smith A B and Graeme Coulson A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Zoology Department, The University of Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: jksmith@student.unimelb.edu.au
Australian Mammalogy 34(2) 196-201 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM11034
Submitted: 6 September 2011 Accepted: 13 January 2012 Published: 30 March 2012
Abstract
Camera traps are increasingly used to monitor wildlife that is otherwise difficult to study. Traditionally, camera traps are set aimed horizontally towards a scent lure, capturing images of animals as they move past. A vertical camera orientation is also being used, whereby the camera lens and sensor face vertically down towards the scent lure, capturing images from above. We aimed to compare detection of southern brown bandicoots and long-nosed potoroos by camera traps set horizontally, to those set vertically. We also considered the number of false triggers and ease of species identification.
Over 21 nights, we monitored 18 camera stations, each consisting of one PixController Inc. DigitalEye™ 7.2 camera aimed horizontally and one vertically, towards the same scent lure. We used PRESENCE (Version 3.0 (Beta)) to estimate detection probabilities for the two species, comparing a null model to a model with camera orientation as a covariate affecting probability of detection. Detection probabilities for both species was 2–5 times higher by vertical than by horizontal cameras, with no significant difference in false triggers. Vertical cameras also increased ease of species identification. Vertical camera orientation is shown to be superior in our study system, providing a valid alternative method.
References
Bennett, A. F. (1993). Microhabitat use by the long-nosed potoroo, Potorous tridactylus, and other small mammals in remnant forest vegetation of south-western Victoria. Wildlife Research 20, 267–285.| Microhabitat use by the long-nosed potoroo, Potorous tridactylus, and other small mammals in remnant forest vegetation of south-western Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Borchard, P., and Wright, I. A. (2010). Using camera-trap data to model habitat use by bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus) and cattle (Bos taurus) in a south-eastern Australian agricultural riparian ecosystem. Australian Mammalogy 32, 16–22.
| Using camera-trap data to model habitat use by bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus) and cattle (Bos taurus) in a south-eastern Australian agricultural riparian ecosystem.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bowkett, A. E., Rovero, F., and Marshall, A. R. (2008). The use of camera-trap data to model habitat use by antelope species in the Udzungwa Mountain forests, Tanzania. African Journal of Ecology 46, 479–487.
| The use of camera-trap data to model habitat use by antelope species in the Udzungwa Mountain forests, Tanzania.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Burnham, K. P., and Anderson, D. R. (2002). ‘Model Selection and Multimodel Inference: A Practical Information-Theoretic Approach.’ (Springer: New York.)
Carbone, C., Christie, S., Conforti, K., Coulson, T., Franklin, N., Ginsberg, J. R., et al (2001). The use of photographic rates to estimate densities of tigers and other cryptic mammals. Animal Conservation 4, 75–79.
| The use of photographic rates to estimate densities of tigers and other cryptic mammals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Claridge, A. W., and Barry, S. C. (2000). Factors influencing the distribution of medium-sized ground-dwelling mammals in southeastern mainland Australia. Austral Ecology 25, 676–688.
| Factors influencing the distribution of medium-sized ground-dwelling mammals in southeastern mainland Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Claridge, A. W., Mifsud, G., Dawson, J., and Saxon, M. J. (2004). Use of infrared digital cameras to investigate the behaviour of cryptic species. Wildlife Research 31, 645–650.
| Use of infrared digital cameras to investigate the behaviour of cryptic species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Claridge, A. W., Paull, D. J., and Barry, S. C. (2010). Detection of medium-sized ground-dwelling mammals using infrared digital cameras: an alternative way forward? Australian Mammalogy 32, 165–171.
| Detection of medium-sized ground-dwelling mammals using infrared digital cameras: an alternative way forward?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
De Bondi, N., White, J. G., Stevens, M., and Cooke, R. (2010). A comparison of the effectiveness of camera trapping and live trapping for sampling terrestrial small-mammal communities. Wildlife Research 37, 456–465.
| A comparison of the effectiveness of camera trapping and live trapping for sampling terrestrial small-mammal communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Helm, A., Hanski, I., and Pärtel, M. (2006). Slow response of plant species richness to habitat loss and fragmentation. Ecology Letters 9, 72–77.
Hines, J. E. (2006). PRESENCE2- Software to estimate patch occupancy and related parameters. USGS-PWRC. http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/software/presence.html.
Kelly, M., and Holub, E. (2008). Camera trapping of carnivores: trap success among camera types and across species, and habitat selection by species, on Salt Pond Mountain, Giles County, Virginia. Northeastern Naturalist 15, 249–262.
| Camera trapping of carnivores: trap success among camera types and across species, and habitat selection by species, on Salt Pond Mountain, Giles County, Virginia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Laidlaw, R. K. (2000). Effects of habitat disturbance and protected areas on mammals of peninsular Malaysia. Conservation Biology 14, 1639–1648.
| Effects of habitat disturbance and protected areas on mammals of peninsular Malaysia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lumsden, L., Chick, R., Scroggie, M., Woodford, L., and Alexander, J. (2007). Assessing management strategies and wildfire impact of long-footed potoroos in north-eastern Victoria. 3rd Progress Report. Results from 2006/07. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria.
MacKenzie, D. I., Nichols, J. D., Royle, J. A., Pollock, K. H., Bailey, L. L., and Hines, J. E. (2006). ‘Occupancy Estimation and Modeling – Inferring Patterns and Dynamics of Species Occurrence.’ (Academic Press: Burlington.)
Menkhorst, P., and Knight, F. (2004). ‘A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia.’ (Oxford University Press: Melbourne.)
Nelson, J. L., and Scroggie, M. P. (2009). Remote cameras as a mammal survey tool – survey design and practical considerations. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research. Unpublished report No. 2009/36. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria.
Robley, A., Gormley, A., Albert, R., Bowd, M., Smith, A., and Scroggie, M. (2009). Monitoring and evaluation of Glenelg Ark – 2004 to 2008. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 183. Department of Sustainability and Environment. Heidelberg, Victoria.
R Development Core Team (2011) R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria.
Rowcliffe, J. M., and Carbone, C. (2008). Surveys using camera traps: are we looking to a brighter future? Animal Conservation 11, 185–186.
| Surveys using camera traps: are we looking to a brighter future?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rowcliffe, J. M., Field, J., Turvey, S. T., and Carbone, C. (2008). Estimating animal density using camera traps without the need for individual recognition. Journal of Applied Ecology 45, 1228–1236.
| Estimating animal density using camera traps without the need for individual recognition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sarmento, P., Cruz, J., Eira, C., and Fonseca, C. (2009). Evaluation of camera trapping for estimating red fox abundance. The Journal of Wildlife Management 73, 1207–1212.
| Evaluation of camera trapping for estimating red fox abundance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Scroggie, M. P. (2008). An evaluation of occupancy methods for monitoring of southern brown bandicoots in Gippsland, Victoria. Unpublished report to the Department of Sustainability and Environment. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria.
Stevens, M., Rudolf, G., Christian, F., and Frey, S. (2010). Pilot survey for long-nosed potoroo and southern brown bandicoot using remote camera in the Grampians National Park, February to April 2009. Field Report 3.
Swann, D. E., Hass, C. C., Dalton, D. C., and Wolf, S. A. (2004). Infrared-triggered cameras for detecting wildlife: an evaluation and review. Wildlife Society Bulletin 32, 357–365.
| Infrared-triggered cameras for detecting wildlife: an evaluation and review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tobler, M. W., Carrillo-Percastegui, S. E., Pitman, R. L., Mares, R., and Powell, G. (2008). An evaluation of camera traps for inventorying large- and medium-sized terrestrial rainforest mammals. Animal Conservation 11, 169–178.
| An evaluation of camera traps for inventorying large- and medium-sized terrestrial rainforest mammals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wang, S. W., and Macdonald, D. W. (2009). The use of camera traps for estimating tiger and leopard populations in the high altitude mountains of Bhutan. Biological Conservation 142, 606–613.
| The use of camera traps for estimating tiger and leopard populations in the high altitude mountains of Bhutan.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Woodgate, P. W., Peel, B. D., Coram, J. E., Farrell, S. J., Ritman, K. T., and Lewis, A. (1996). Old-growth forest studies in Victoria, Australia. Concepts and principles. Forest Ecology and Management 85, 79–94.
| Old-growth forest studies in Victoria, Australia. Concepts and principles.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
