use of remote cameras in wildlife ecology shawn l. locke, israel d. parker, and roel r. lopez...

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USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University College Station, TX University College Station, TX 77843, USA 77843, USA

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Page 1: USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M

USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGYWILDLIFE ECOLOGY

Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. LopezRoel R. Lopez

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University College Station, TX Texas A&M University College Station, TX

77843, USA77843, USA

Page 2: USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M

Battery LongevityBattery Longevity

Battery longevity is a product of:Battery longevity is a product of:• temperature• age• number of pictures taken • flash configuration or presence • battery quality

Battery life has advanced significantly Battery life has advanced significantly and many models can run up to 150 and many models can run up to 150 days or take ≥1,000 photos.days or take ≥1,000 photos.

Page 3: USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M

Data StorageData Storage

Data storage capacityData storage capacity• Continues to improve with relatively

inexpensive storage units (e.g., SD cards) holding thousands of pictures and videos.

• This is a vast improvement over film-based cameras that are generally limited to a maximum of 36 images before film replacement.

Page 4: USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M

Picture QualityPicture Quality

Picture qualityPicture quality• Images recorded by cameras can vary in

quality and size depending on equipment specifications.

• Researchers must balance resolution requirements with storage capabilities.

• Researchers should determine storage and resolution requirements prior to beginning research or management activities.

Page 5: USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M

DATA MANAGEMENTDATA MANAGEMENT

Data managementData management• A data management plan is important

prior to the initiation of a camera project.• Studies involving cameras can generate

thousands of images therefore, organization and data storage are critical.

• It is helpful to have photo editing software to enhance photo quality and clarity for interpretation.

Page 6: USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M

REMOTE CAMERASREMOTE CAMERAS

Two types of remote cameras:Two types of remote cameras:• Active infrared or beam-break sensors use

an infrared emitter and receiver creating a beam of infrared light or trip line.

• Passive infrared sensors detect movement and radiation emitted by animals within a field of view.

Page 7: USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M

Remote Camera FeaturesRemote Camera FeaturesFeature Active infrared Passive infrared

Size Two larger units One smaller unit

(separate from camera) (housed with camera)

Models One company Many companies

Price Higher Lower

Ease of use More complicated Simpler

Sensitivity High (flexible) Medium (flexible)

Detection beam width Narrow Narrow or wide

False triggers Usually fewer Usually more

Sensitivity in tropical climates Not affected by temperature May be lower

Damage by wildlife Highly susceptible Lower risk

Page 8: USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M

Active Infrared CamerasActive Infrared Cameras

Active infrared camera (TrailmasterActive infrared camera (Trailmaster®®))

Page 9: USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M

Passive Infrared CamerasPassive Infrared Cameras

Passive infrared camera (Moultrie D40)

Page 10: USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M

Types of Data GatheredTypes of Data Gathered

Remote cameras can assist in Remote cameras can assist in determining:determining:• Occupancy and distribution• Population estimation• Nest predation• Animal behavior and activity• Diet

Page 11: USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M
Page 12: USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M

Thermal Infrared CamerasThermal Infrared Cameras

A limiting factor in studying mammals is observing them.

Mammals often can be cryptic or nocturnal thereby making them difficult to see using only human vision.

The use of thermal infrared imagery devices can aid researchers by converting the nonvisible, infrared spectrum (0.8–14.0 µm) into a visible spectrum.

Page 13: USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M

Pros and Cons of Thermal CamerasPros and Cons of Thermal Cameras

ProsPros• Works well in

optimal conditions

• Declining costs• Detects spectrum

outside of human vision

• Increasing utility in wildlife disease

ConsCons• Cost• Detection varies

among vegetation structure

• Animal size impacts detectability

• Poikilothermic organisms are problematic

• Seasonally dependent

Page 14: USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M

Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) CamerasCameras

Rio Grande wild turkeys foraging

Page 15: USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M

Innovative Camera TechniquesInnovative Camera Techniques

Improvements in component miniaturization and capability, storage capacity, build quality, and price have spurred the use of cameras (both still and video) in ecology in a variety of new directions.

Companies are now designing camera (both still and video) systems to answer specific research questions.

Page 16: USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M

Examples of Camera TechniquesExamples of Camera Techniques

ExamplesExamples• Peep cameras for monitoring nest activity• Live streaming video broadcast on the

internet of nesting/denning activities (e.g., bald eagles, bears)

• Cameras on small remote controlled aircraft

• Telescoping or flexible tubing cameras for snaking into dens or burrows

Page 17: USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M

Peep CamerasPeep Cameras

► Peep camera Peep camera monitoring red-monitoring red-cockaded cockaded woodpecker nest woodpecker nest cavitycavity

Page 18: USE OF REMOTE CAMERAS IN WILDLIFE ECOLOGY Shawn L. Locke, Israel D. Parker, and Roel R. Lopez Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M

SUMMARYSUMMARY► Cameras are a useful tool in wildlife ecology, but

their usefulness depends upon the quality of the study design and capabilities of the operator.

► Cameras are appropriate in research where: humans would cause disturbance to wildlife behavior, extended observational periods are required, observation must take place in dangerous, inclement,

or remote areas, permanent and verifiable data is needed, or different capabilities from the human eye are

required.