Estimating wildlife activity curves: comparison of methods and sample size

Area of Science:

• Wildlife ecology
• Animal behavior research
• Conservation technology

Background:

• Camera traps and radiotags are standard tools for estimating animal activity patterns.
• Empirical validation comparing these methods is limited.
• Understanding method comparability is crucial for accurate wildlife monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare activity curves estimated by camera traps versus radiotags.
• To assess the influence of species traits (size, diet, activity mode) on method comparability.
• To determine the minimum sample size for reliable camera trap estimates.

Main Methods:

• Compared activity curves from two camera trapping techniques and radiotags across four species.
• Analyzed data from species varying in size, diet, and activity patterns.
• Sub-sampled camera trap data to evaluate sample size effects on accuracy and precision.

Main Results:

• Camera trapping generally showed higher activity during feeding times than radiotags, except for the carnivore.
• Both camera trapping methods demonstrated high overlap and correlation with radiotag data.
• Sample size significantly impacted accuracy; approximately 100 detections are recommended.

Conclusions:

• Camera traps and radiotags can yield comparable activity modes but may differ in activity magnitude estimation.
• A minimum of 100 detections is advised for camera trapping studies to ensure accuracy.
• Researchers should consider potential biases when interpreting camera trap data regarding activity peaks.