discussion / Biologging  / 17 August 2017

Update on camera trap tests with real animal targets

EFFECTS ON IMAGE CAPTURE OF SMALL DIFFERENCES IN CAMERA TRAP HEIGHT AND ANGLE

The practicalities of field work mean that camera traps cannot all be mounted at the same height and angle, but nobody has ever looked at whether small differences in camera mounting such as might be imposed by leaning or lumpy tree trunks, uneven ground or tilted mounting poles make any difference to image capture.

Consequently the elaborate statistical models that are used to analyse camera trap data have to be based on untested assumptions about camera performance in the field.

I have developed a standardized test, using real animals as targets, that quickly exposes vulnerabilities of camera traps to differences in mounting height and angle.

This update briefly summarizes the results for Reconyx Ultrafires and Cuddeback C1s.

Feedback is very welcome.

It is also posted as a project update at;

 

https://www.researchgate.net/project/A-realistic-reproducible-and-rigorous-test-for-wildlife-camera-trap-performance

researchgate_aug_2017_rigorous_and_repeatable_camera_trap_monitoring.pdf