Title
Use of remote-trip cameras for wildlife surveys and evaluating the effectiveness of conservation activities at a nature reserve in Sichuan Province, China
Author(s)
Dajun W., Sheng L., McShea W.J., Fu L.M.
Published
2006
Publisher
Environmental Management
Abstract
Monitoring the effectiveness of management activities within reserves is always a complicated task. When the focus of management activities is mammals, it is difficult to monitor their populations in a way that is rapid, effective, and inexpensive. We report on a mammal survey of a reserve in southwest China using remote-trip cameras. We surveyed 329 locations over 2 field seasons in 2002 and 2003. Sixteen species of mammals were detected with these cameras, with four species documented for the first time. After accounting for variation due to slope, aspect, elevation, and habitat type, the distribution of six species was positively associated with the location of conservation stations and/or patrolling routes. Species of medium-sized mammals are excellent candidates for monitoring programs based on these cameras, due to their relative abundance, sufficient size to be detected by the camera units, and sensitivity to human activity. The distribution of mammals relative to management efforts is a relatively rapid means to assess reserve effectiveness. The repeat use of the cameras as part of a monitoring plan should provide a quantifiable measure of reserve effectiveness. © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.
Keywords
Biodiversity; Condition monitoring; Environmental engineering; Location; Population statistics; Surveys; Mammals; Patrolling; Protected areas management; Remote trip cameras; Cameras; mammal; monitoring; nature conservation; protected area; remote sensing; wildlife management; article; camera; China; environmental impact; environmental monitoring; environmental protection; evaluation; geographic elevation; geographical variation (species); geography; mammal; program development; remote sensing; species distribution; species habitat; wildlife conservation; Animals; China; Conservation of Natural Resources; Data Collection; Ecosystem; Logistic Models; Mammals; Photography; Population Density; Telemetry; Asia; China; Eurasia; Far East; Sichuan; Mammalia

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