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Groffen J, Hoskin CJ. A portable Raspberry Pi-based camera set-up to record behaviours of frogs and other small animals under artificial or natural shelters in remote locations. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10877. [PMID: 38500857 PMCID: PMC10945077 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
We describe a Raspberry Pi-based camera system that is portable, robust and weatherproof, with a close-up focus (2.5 cm). We show that this camera system can be used in remote locations with high rainfall and humidity. The camera has an Infrared LED light to film in dark places and can continuously record up to 21 days (504 h). We also describe how to make concrete artificial shelters to mount the camera in. One of the great strengths of this shelter/camera set-up is that the animals choose to take up residence and can then be filmed for extended periods with no disturbance. Furthermore, we give examples of how shelters and cameras could be used to film a range of behaviours in not only many small cryptic amphibian species but also other small vertebrates and invertebrates globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordy Groffen
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Conrad J. Hoskin
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
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Hughes EJ, Mady RP, Bonter DN. Evaluating the accuracy and biological meaning of visits to RFID-enabled bird feeders using video. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:17132-17141. [PMID: 34938498 PMCID: PMC8668810 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology has gained popularity in ornithological studies as a way to collect large quantities of data to answer specific biological questions, but few published studies report methodologies used for validating the accuracy of RFID data. Further, connections between the RFID data and the behaviors of interest in a study are not always clearly established. These methodological deficiencies may seriously impact a study's results and subsequent interpretation. We built RFID-equipped bird feeders and mounted them at three sites in Tompkins County, New York. We deployed passive integrated transponder tags on black-capped chickadees, tufted titmice, and white-breasted nuthatches and used a GoPro video camera to record the three tagged species at the feeders. We then reviewed the video to determine the accuracy of the RFID reader and understand the birds' behavior at the feeders. We found that our RFID system recorded only 34.2% of all visits by tagged birds (n = 237) and that RFID detection increased with the length of a visit. We also found that our three tagged species and two other species that visited the feeders, American goldfinch and hairy woodpecker, retrieved food in 79.5% of their visits. Chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, and woodpeckers spent, on average, 2.3 s at feeders to collect one seed per visit. In contrast, goldfinches spent an average of 9.0 s at feeders and consumed up to 30 seeds per visit. Our results demonstrate the importance of confirming detection accuracy and that video can be used to identify behavioral characteristics associated with an RFID reader's detections. This simple-yet time-intensive-method for assessing the accuracy and biological meaning of RFID data is useful for ornithological studies but can be used in research focusing on various taxa and study systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J. Hughes
- Department of Natural Resources & The EnvironmentCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
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Hereward HFR, Facey RJ, Sargent AJ, Roda S, Couldwell ML, Renshaw EL, Shaw KH, Devlin JJ, Long SE, Porter BJ, Henderson JM, Emmett CL, Astbury L, Maggs L, Rands SA, Thomas RJ. Raspberry Pi nest cameras: An affordable tool for remote behavioral and conservation monitoring of bird nests. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:14585-14597. [PMID: 34765127 PMCID: PMC8571635 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Bespoke (custom-built) Raspberry Pi cameras are increasingly popular research tools in the fields of behavioral ecology and conservation, because of their comparative flexibility in programmable settings, ability to be paired with other sensors, and because they are typically cheaper than commercially built models.Here, we describe a novel, Raspberry Pi-based camera system that is fully portable and yet weatherproof-especially to humidity and salt spray. The camera was paired with a passive infrared sensor, to create a movement-triggered camera capable of recording videos over a 24-hr period. We describe an example deployment involving "retro-fitting" these cameras into artificial nest boxes on Praia Islet, Azores archipelago, Portugal, to monitor the behaviors and interspecific interactions of two sympatric species of storm-petrel (Monteiro's storm-petrel Hydrobates monteiroi and Madeiran storm-petrel Hydrobates castro) during their respective breeding seasons.Of the 138 deployments, 70% of all deployments were deemed to be "Successful" (Successful was defined as continuous footage being recorded for more than one hour without an interruption), which equated to 87% of the individual 30-s videos. The bespoke cameras proved to be easily portable between 54 different nests and reasonably weatherproof (~14% of deployments classed as "Partial" or "Failure" deployments were specifically due to the weather/humidity), and we make further trouble-shooting suggestions to mitigate additional weather-related failures.Here, we have shown that this system is fully portable and capable of coping with salt spray and humidity, and consequently, the camera-build methods and scripts could be applied easily to many different species that also utilize cavities, burrows, and artificial nests, and can potentially be adapted for other wildlife monitoring situations to provide novel insights into species-specific daily cycles of behaviors and interspecies interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alyssa J. Sargent
- Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- Department of BiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Sara Roda
- Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- A Rocha, CruzhinaAlvorPortugal
| | - Matthew L. Couldwell
- Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- Gypseywood CottageYorkUK
| | | | - Katie H. Shaw
- Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- University of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Jack J. Devlin
- Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- University of KentuckyLexingtonKentuckyUSA
| | - Sarah E. Long
- Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Ben J. Porter
- Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- Tan y GarnRhiwUK
| | | | - Christa L. Emmett
- Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- Department of Applied SciencesUniversity of the West of EnglandBristolUK
| | - Laura Astbury
- Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | | | - Sean A. Rands
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUK
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Lahoz-Monfort JJ, Magrath MJL. A Comprehensive Overview of Technologies for Species and Habitat Monitoring and Conservation. Bioscience 2021; 71:1038-1062. [PMID: 34616236 PMCID: PMC8490933 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biab073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The range of technologies currently used in biodiversity conservation is staggering, with innovative uses often adopted from other disciplines and being trialed in the field. We provide the first comprehensive overview of the current (2020) landscape of conservation technology, encompassing technologies for monitoring wildlife and habitats, as well as for on-the-ground conservation management (e.g., fighting illegal activities). We cover both established technologies (routinely deployed in conservation, backed by substantial field experience and scientific literature) and novel technologies or technology applications (typically at trial stage, only recently used in conservation), providing examples of conservation applications for both types. We describe technologies that deploy sensors that are fixed or portable, attached to vehicles (terrestrial, aquatic, or airborne) or to animals (biologging), complemented with a section on wildlife tracking. The last two sections cover actuators and computing (including web platforms, algorithms, and artificial intelligence).
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Affiliation(s)
- José J Lahoz-Monfort
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael J L Magrath
- Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria and with the School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Lahoz-Monfort JJ, Chadès I, Davies A, Fegraus E, Game E, Guillera-Arroita G, Harcourt R, Indraswari K, McGowan J, Oliver JL, Refisch J, Rhodes J, Roe P, Rogers A, Ward A, Watson DM, Watson JEM, Wintle BA, Joppa L. A Call for International Leadership and Coordination to Realize the Potential of Conservation Technology. Bioscience 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biz090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractAdvancing technology represents an unprecedented opportunity to enhance our capacity to conserve the Earth's biodiversity. However, this great potential is failing to materialize and rarely endures. We contend that unleashing the power of technology for conservation requires an internationally coordinated strategy that connects the conservation community and policy-makers with technologists. We argue an international conservation technology entity could (1) provide vision and leadership, (2) coordinate and deliver key services necessary to ensure translation from innovation to effective deployment and use of technology for on-the-ground conservation across the planet, and (3) help integrate innovation into biodiversity conservation policy from local to global scales, providing tools to monitor outcomes of conservation action and progress towards national and international biodiversity targets. This proposed entity could take the shape of an international alliance of conservation institutions or a formal intergovernmental institution. Active and targeted uptake of emerging technology can help society achieve biodiversity conservation goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- José J Lahoz-Monfort
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | | | - Alasdair Davies
- Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - Eric Fegraus
- 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22202 United Kingdom
| | - Edward Game
- The Nature Conservancy, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
| | | | - Robert Harcourt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Karlina Indraswari
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4066, Australia
| | - Jennifer McGowan
- The Nature Conservancy, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
- Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jessica L Oliver
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4066, Australia
| | - Johannes Refisch
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Great Apes Survival Partnership, UN Environment, P.O. Box 30552, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jonathan Rhodes
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Paul Roe
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4066, Australia
| | - Alex Rogers
- Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Ward
- Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, 95 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
| | - David M Watson
- Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia
| | - James E M Watson
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Global Conservation Program, Bronx NY 10460, United States
| | - Brendan A Wintle
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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Allan BM, Nimmo DG, Ierodiaconou D, VanDerWal J, Koh LP, Ritchie EG. Futurecasting ecological research: the rise of technoecology. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Blake M. Allan
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Burwood Victoria 3125 Australia
| | - Dale G. Nimmo
- Institute for Land, Water and Society Charles Sturt University Albury New South Wales 2640 Australia
| | - Daniel Ierodiaconou
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Warrnambool Victoria 3280 Australia
| | - Jeremy VanDerWal
- eResearch Centre Division of Research and Innovation James Cook University Townsville Queensland 4811 Australia
- Centre for Tropical Biodiversity & Climate Change College of Marine and Ecosystem Sciences James Cook University Townsville Queensland 4811 Australia
| | - Lian Pin Koh
- School of Biological Sciences Environment Institute University of Adelaide Adelaide South Australia 5005 Australia
| | - Euan G. Ritchie
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Burwood Victoria 3125 Australia
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Greenville AC, Dickman CR, Wardle GM. 75 years of dryland science: Trends and gaps in arid ecology literature. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175014. [PMID: 28384186 PMCID: PMC5383157 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Growth in the publication of scientific articles is occurring at an exponential rate, prompting a growing need to synthesise information in a timely manner to combat urgent environmental problems and guide future research. Here, we undertake a topic analysis of dryland literature over the last 75 years (8218 articles) to identify areas in arid ecology that are well studied and topics that are emerging. Four topics-wetlands, mammal ecology, litter decomposition and spatial modelling, were identified as 'hot topics' that showed higher than average growth in publications from 1940 to 2015. Five topics-remote sensing, climate, habitat and spatial, agriculture and soils-microbes, were identified as 'cold topics', with lower than average growth over the survey period, but higher than average numbers of publications. Topics in arid ecology clustered into seven broad groups on word-based similarity. These groups ranged from mammal ecology and population genetics, broad-scale management and ecosystem modelling, plant ecology, agriculture and ecophysiology, to populations and paleoclimate. These patterns may reflect trends in the field of ecology more broadly. We also identified two broad research gaps in arid ecology: population genetics, and habitat and spatial research. Collaborations between population genetics and ecologists and investigations of ecological processes across spatial scales would contribute profitably to the advancement of arid ecology and to ecology more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron C. Greenville
- Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- National Environmental Science Programme Threatened Species Recovery Hub, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Sydney, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Chris R. Dickman
- Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- National Environmental Science Programme Threatened Species Recovery Hub, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Sydney, Australia
| | - Glenda M. Wardle
- Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Long Term Ecological Research Network, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, Sydney, Australia
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