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Heterogeneous capture rates in low density populations and consequences for capture-recapture analysis of camera-trap data

Heterogeneous capture rates in low density populations and consequences for capture-recapture analysis of camera-trap data
Heterogeneous capture rates in low density populations and consequences for capture-recapture analysis of camera-trap data
Closed population capture-recapture analysis of camera-trap data has become the conventional method for estimating the abundance of individually recognisable cryptic species living at low densities, such as large felids. Often these estimates are the only information available to guide wildlife managers and conservation policy. Capture probability of the target species using camera traps is commonly heterogeneous and low. Published studies often report overall capture probabilities as low as 0.03 and fail to report on the level of heterogeneity in capture probability. We used simulations to study the effects of low and heterogeneous capture probability on the reliability of abundance estimates using the Mh jack-knife estimator within a closed-population capture-recapture framework. High heterogeneity in capture probability was associated with under- and over-estimates of true abundance. The use of biased abundance estimates could have serious conservation management consequences. We recommend that studies present capture frequencies of all sampled individuals so that policy makers can assess the reliability of the abundance estimates
abundance estimates, capture probability, closed population model, jaguar, mark-recapture, reliability
1438-3896
253-259
Harmsen, Bart J.
c84e0703-d49d-4b09-980a-423b09fd5536
Foster, Rebecca J.
842ac52b-bc3d-4d9c-bf81-61b2e4b6964e
Doncaster, C. Patrick
0eff2f42-fa0a-4e35-b6ac-475ad3482047
Harmsen, Bart J.
c84e0703-d49d-4b09-980a-423b09fd5536
Foster, Rebecca J.
842ac52b-bc3d-4d9c-bf81-61b2e4b6964e
Doncaster, C. Patrick
0eff2f42-fa0a-4e35-b6ac-475ad3482047

Harmsen, Bart J., Foster, Rebecca J. and Doncaster, C. Patrick (2011) Heterogeneous capture rates in low density populations and consequences for capture-recapture analysis of camera-trap data. Population Ecology, 53 (1), 253-259. (doi:10.1007/s10144-010-0211-z).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Closed population capture-recapture analysis of camera-trap data has become the conventional method for estimating the abundance of individually recognisable cryptic species living at low densities, such as large felids. Often these estimates are the only information available to guide wildlife managers and conservation policy. Capture probability of the target species using camera traps is commonly heterogeneous and low. Published studies often report overall capture probabilities as low as 0.03 and fail to report on the level of heterogeneity in capture probability. We used simulations to study the effects of low and heterogeneous capture probability on the reliability of abundance estimates using the Mh jack-knife estimator within a closed-population capture-recapture framework. High heterogeneity in capture probability was associated with under- and over-estimates of true abundance. The use of biased abundance estimates could have serious conservation management consequences. We recommend that studies present capture frequencies of all sampled individuals so that policy makers can assess the reliability of the abundance estimates

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More information

Published date: January 2011
Keywords: abundance estimates, capture probability, closed population model, jaguar, mark-recapture, reliability

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 189641
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/189641
ISSN: 1438-3896
PURE UUID: 543d0527-d045-4486-8522-ed6d0cf79dd9
ORCID for C. Patrick Doncaster: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-9406-0693

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Date deposited: 06 Jun 2011 07:41
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:49

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Contributors

Author: Bart J. Harmsen
Author: Rebecca J. Foster

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