Evaluating of Determining Species Diversity of Medium and Large-sized Mammals by Camera Trapping in Pastures

Abstract

In the course of determining species diversity of medium and large-sized mammals by camera trapping, the effects of possible bias factors such as year, season, type of remote camera, grazing condition, attractants including baits and scent lures, and site selection were evaluated. The survey effort required to detect the present mammal species was also estimated. As a result, the number of species detected and the frequency of each species photographed by camera traps were affected to a various degree by all these possible bias factors. Therefore, the effects of these factors must be reduced when the camera trapping is conducted as an accurate survey of mammal fauna. The survey effort required to detect the present mammal species varied enormously among study sites, and could not be estimated in advance. Thus, the survey effort must be evaluated after a preliminary survey of camera trapping is conducted.