Can spatial distribution of ungulates be predicted by modeling camera trap data related to landscape indices? A case study in a fragmented mediterranean landscape

Camera trap applications range from studying wildlife habits to detecting rare species, which are difficult to capture by more traditional techniques. In this work, we aimed at finding the best model to predict the distribution pattern of wildlife and to explain the relationship betwee...

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Main Authors: Antonio Belda, Sandra Oltra-Crespo, Pau Miró-Martínez, Benito Zaragozí
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidad Nacional de Colombia 2019-09-01
Series:Caldasia
Subjects:
Online Access:https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/cal/article/view/76384/72750
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author Antonio Belda
Sandra Oltra-Crespo
Pau Miró-Martínez
Benito Zaragozí
author_facet Antonio Belda
Sandra Oltra-Crespo
Pau Miró-Martínez
Benito Zaragozí
author_sort Antonio Belda
collection DOAJ
description Camera trap applications range from studying wildlife habits to detecting rare species, which are difficult to capture by more traditional techniques. In this work, we aimed at finding the best model to predict the distribution pattern of wildlife and to explain the relationship between environmental conditions with the species detected by camera traps. We applied two types of statistical models in a specific Mediterranean landscape case. The results of both models shown adjustments over 80 %. First, we ran a Principal Components Analysis (PCA). Discriminant, and logistic analyses were per-formed for ungulates in general, and three species in particular: Barbary sheep, mouflon, and wild boar. The same environmental conditions explained the presence of these species in all the proposed models. Hence, we proved the generally positive influence of patch size on the presence of ungulates and negative influence of the fractal dimension and density edge. We quantified the relationships between a suite of landscape metrics measured in different grids to test whether spatial heterogeneity plays a major role in determining the distribution of ungulates. We explained much of the variation in distribution with metrics, specifically related to habitat heterogeneity. That outcome highlighted the potential importance of spatial heterogeneity in determining the distribution of large herbivores. We discussed our results in the forestry conservation practices context and discuss potential ways to integrate ungulate management and forestry practices better.
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publishDate 2019-09-01
publisher Universidad Nacional de Colombia
record_format Article
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spelling doaj-art-a10953e7d5a04afdafcfc6a795e5867f2025-08-20T02:08:39ZengUniversidad Nacional de ColombiaCaldasia0366-52322357-37592019-09-0142196104https://dx.doi.org/10.15446/caldasia.v42n1.76384Can spatial distribution of ungulates be predicted by modeling camera trap data related to landscape indices? A case study in a fragmented mediterranean landscapeAntonio Belda0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6782-4130Sandra Oltra-Crespo1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1995-2557Pau Miró-Martínez2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9573-9104Benito Zaragozí3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2501-484XUniversity of AlicanteUniversitat Politècnica de ValènciaUniversitat Politècnica de ValènciaUniversitat Rovira i VirgiliCamera trap applications range from studying wildlife habits to detecting rare species, which are difficult to capture by more traditional techniques. In this work, we aimed at finding the best model to predict the distribution pattern of wildlife and to explain the relationship between environmental conditions with the species detected by camera traps. We applied two types of statistical models in a specific Mediterranean landscape case. The results of both models shown adjustments over 80 %. First, we ran a Principal Components Analysis (PCA). Discriminant, and logistic analyses were per-formed for ungulates in general, and three species in particular: Barbary sheep, mouflon, and wild boar. The same environmental conditions explained the presence of these species in all the proposed models. Hence, we proved the generally positive influence of patch size on the presence of ungulates and negative influence of the fractal dimension and density edge. We quantified the relationships between a suite of landscape metrics measured in different grids to test whether spatial heterogeneity plays a major role in determining the distribution of ungulates. We explained much of the variation in distribution with metrics, specifically related to habitat heterogeneity. That outcome highlighted the potential importance of spatial heterogeneity in determining the distribution of large herbivores. We discussed our results in the forestry conservation practices context and discuss potential ways to integrate ungulate management and forestry practices better.https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/cal/article/view/76384/72750camera trapdiscriminant analysislandscape metricslogistic analysismultivariant analysis
spellingShingle Antonio Belda
Sandra Oltra-Crespo
Pau Miró-Martínez
Benito Zaragozí
Can spatial distribution of ungulates be predicted by modeling camera trap data related to landscape indices? A case study in a fragmented mediterranean landscape
Caldasia
camera trap
discriminant analysis
landscape metrics
logistic analysis
multivariant analysis
title Can spatial distribution of ungulates be predicted by modeling camera trap data related to landscape indices? A case study in a fragmented mediterranean landscape
title_full Can spatial distribution of ungulates be predicted by modeling camera trap data related to landscape indices? A case study in a fragmented mediterranean landscape
title_fullStr Can spatial distribution of ungulates be predicted by modeling camera trap data related to landscape indices? A case study in a fragmented mediterranean landscape
title_full_unstemmed Can spatial distribution of ungulates be predicted by modeling camera trap data related to landscape indices? A case study in a fragmented mediterranean landscape
title_short Can spatial distribution of ungulates be predicted by modeling camera trap data related to landscape indices? A case study in a fragmented mediterranean landscape
title_sort can spatial distribution of ungulates be predicted by modeling camera trap data related to landscape indices a case study in a fragmented mediterranean landscape
topic camera trap
discriminant analysis
landscape metrics
logistic analysis
multivariant analysis
url https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/cal/article/view/76384/72750
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