A review of factors to consider when using camera traps to study animal behavior to inform wildlife ecology and conservation

Caravaggi, Anthony; Cole Burton, A.; Clark, Douglas A.; Fisher, Jason T.; Grass, Amelia; Green, Sian; Hobaiter, Catherine; Hofmeester, Tim R.; Kalan, Ammie K.; Rabaiotti, Daniella; Rivet, Danielle

Abstract

Camera traps (CTs) are an increasingly popular method of studying animal behavior. However, the impact of cameras on detected individuals—such as from mechanical noise, odor, and emitted light—has received relatively little attention. These impacts are particularly important in behavioral studies in conservation that seek to ascribe changes in behavior to relevant environmental factors. In this article, we discuss three sources of bias that are relevant to conservation behavior studies using CTs: (a) disturbance caused by cameras; (b) variation in animal‐detection parameters across camera models; and (c) biased detection across individuals and age, sex, and behavioral classes. We propose several recommendations aimed at mitigating responses to CTs by wildlife. Our recommendations offer a platform for the development of more rigorous and robust behavioral studies using CT technology and, if adopted, would result in greater applied benefits for conservation and management.

Citation

Caravaggi, A., Cole Burton, A., Clark, D. A., Fisher, J. T., Grass, A., Green, S., Hobaiter, C., Hofmeester, T. R., Kalan, A. K., Rabaiotti, D., & Rivet, D. (2020). A review of factors to consider when using camera traps to study animal behavior to inform wildlife ecology and conservation. Conservation Science and Practice, 2(8), Article e239. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.239

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 21, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jun 19, 2020
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Deposit Date: Jun 22, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 1, 2020
• Journal: Conservation Science and Practice
• Publisher: Wiley Open Access
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2
• Issue: 8
• Article Number: e239
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.239
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1267928