Density Estimation of Unmarked Populations Using Camera Traps in Heterogeneous Space

ABSTRACT Camera traps are commonly used to monitor animal populations, but statistical estimators of density from camera‐trap data for species that cannot be individually identified are still in development, and few models take space use into account. We present a model to estimate the density of un...

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Main Authors: Gai Luo, Weideng Wei, Qiang Dai, Jianghong Ran
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2020-03-01
Series:Wildlife Society Bulletin
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1060
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author Gai Luo
Weideng Wei
Qiang Dai
Jianghong Ran
author_facet Gai Luo
Weideng Wei
Qiang Dai
Jianghong Ran
author_sort Gai Luo
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Camera traps are commonly used to monitor animal populations, but statistical estimators of density from camera‐trap data for species that cannot be individually identified are still in development, and few models take space use into account. We present a model to estimate the density of unmarked populations, which considers species’ space use. The model assumes that animal movements depend on space use probability. Using a hypothetical animal population, we carried out a set of computer simulations on individual movements and camera‐trap monitoring to estimate population density with sampling data. Our results demonstrated that the model performed well, and highlighted the importance of adding space use information into density estimation approaches. We also tested the effect of multiple variables (i.e., day range, no. of camera traps, time span of monitoring duration) on density estimates. Increasing the number of camera traps and monitoring duration may reduce the variance of density estimate. Precision of density estimates increased when the species’ day range increased. Subject to accurate measurement of model parameters, this method provides a potential approach to estimate unmarked population density using camera‐trap data. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2020-03-01
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spelling doaj-art-5d4cca6a584044a0a983b53b28622f4c2024-12-16T13:35:57ZengWileyWildlife Society Bulletin2328-55402020-03-0144117318110.1002/wsb.1060Density Estimation of Unmarked Populations Using Camera Traps in Heterogeneous SpaceGai Luo0Weideng Wei1Qiang Dai2Jianghong Ran3Key Laboratory of Bio‐resource and Eco‐environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences Sichuan University Chengdu 610065 ChinaKey Laboratory of Bio‐resource and Eco‐environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences Sichuan University Chengdu 610065 ChinaChengdu Institute of Biology Chinese Academy of Sciences Chengdu 610041 ChinaKey Laboratory of Bio‐resource and Eco‐environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences Sichuan University Chengdu 610065 ChinaABSTRACT Camera traps are commonly used to monitor animal populations, but statistical estimators of density from camera‐trap data for species that cannot be individually identified are still in development, and few models take space use into account. We present a model to estimate the density of unmarked populations, which considers species’ space use. The model assumes that animal movements depend on space use probability. Using a hypothetical animal population, we carried out a set of computer simulations on individual movements and camera‐trap monitoring to estimate population density with sampling data. Our results demonstrated that the model performed well, and highlighted the importance of adding space use information into density estimation approaches. We also tested the effect of multiple variables (i.e., day range, no. of camera traps, time span of monitoring duration) on density estimates. Increasing the number of camera traps and monitoring duration may reduce the variance of density estimate. Precision of density estimates increased when the species’ day range increased. Subject to accurate measurement of model parameters, this method provides a potential approach to estimate unmarked population density using camera‐trap data. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1060computer simulationdistribution patternoccupancypopulation densityspace use
spellingShingle Gai Luo
Weideng Wei
Qiang Dai
Jianghong Ran
Density Estimation of Unmarked Populations Using Camera Traps in Heterogeneous Space
Wildlife Society Bulletin
computer simulation
distribution pattern
occupancy
population density
space use
title Density Estimation of Unmarked Populations Using Camera Traps in Heterogeneous Space
title_full Density Estimation of Unmarked Populations Using Camera Traps in Heterogeneous Space
title_fullStr Density Estimation of Unmarked Populations Using Camera Traps in Heterogeneous Space
title_full_unstemmed Density Estimation of Unmarked Populations Using Camera Traps in Heterogeneous Space
title_short Density Estimation of Unmarked Populations Using Camera Traps in Heterogeneous Space
title_sort density estimation of unmarked populations using camera traps in heterogeneous space
topic computer simulation
distribution pattern
occupancy
population density
space use
url https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1060
work_keys_str_mv AT gailuo densityestimationofunmarkedpopulationsusingcameratrapsinheterogeneousspace
AT weidengwei densityestimationofunmarkedpopulationsusingcameratrapsinheterogeneousspace
AT qiangdai densityestimationofunmarkedpopulationsusingcameratrapsinheterogeneousspace
AT jianghongran densityestimationofunmarkedpopulationsusingcameratrapsinheterogeneousspace