Abstract
In order to evaluate the efficiency of different mammalian survey methods, we compared traditional sampling techniques (use of camera-traps on roads and artificial trails, track censuses, and direct field visualization) with an alternative sampling design (camera-traps positioned in natural areas such as natural trails and shelters). We conducted the study in a deciduous Atlantic-Forest park in southern Brazil, and additionally compared our results with a previous intensive study carried out in the same area. Our considerably smaller sampling effort (example: 336 trap.day for our camera-traps versus 2,154 trap.day for the earlier study) registered the presence of 85% of the local known species, with camera-traps being 68% efficient. Moreover, shelter camera-traps revealed a different species composition regarding most of other sampling methods. This sampling strategy involving natural forest sites was therefore able to effectively optimize the chances of evaluating species composition in a shorter period, especially with respect to lower-density and cryptic species, as well as to detect species that avoid open, disturbed sites such as roads and man-made forest trails.
Highlights
In order to evaluate the efficiency of different mammalian survey methods, we compared traditional sampling techniques with an alternative sampling design
For mammalian survey, the camera-traps should be installed along artificial trails, and in natural forest trails and shelters for the reason explained below
Given that our results on natural trails comparing with those from man-made trails, tracks and visualizations were similar, natural trails are easy to find in the forest interior and save time and effort by avoiding making artificial trails
Summary
In South America, camera-traps are commonly installed on man-made roads and trails inside protected areas and forest fragments, for mammalian survey (Trolle, 2003; Kasper et al, 2007; Srbek-Araujo & Chiarello, 2007; Goulart et al, 2009) as well as single species abundance (e.g. big cats and canids; Tobler et al, 2008; Di Bitetti et al, 2009; Harmsen et al, 2010). Not well understood (Harmsen et al, 2010), natural paths and trails are used by various species to move between habitats within a forest, and the positioning of camera-traps at these sites should provide important results in terms of accurately assessing local diversity. The same principle can be applied to sites used as potential shelter by different species
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