Understanding distributions of invasive mammals in urban environments using remote cameras and citizen science

<p>Preserving biodiversity in urban environments is crucial not only for preventing local extinctions of native species, but also for educating the public about the importance of species conservation. Invasive mammalian species can have negative impacts for both people and biodiversity in urban environments. Understanding the factors influencing the distribution of these invasive species is crucial to comply with the ethical, ecological, and practical concerns associated with their management. Remote cameras are an increasingly popular tool for investigating the distribution and abundance of mammals. Yet few studies have used these cameras in urban environments. The time and effort required to classify remote camera data is the main constraint of this monitoring technique. To determine whether employing citizen science could facilitate the use of remote cameras in urban environments, I investigated the engagement, accuracy, and efficiency of volunteers (i.e., citizen scientists) in classifying animal images recorded by remote cameras in Wellington, New Zealand. Classifications from citizen scientists were in 84.2% agreement with classifications of expert ecologists. However, accuracy varied significantly among species and volunteers. Aggregating multiple classifications per image and highlighting animal movement in the images improved the accuracy of citizen scientists. Additionally, weighting their classifications based on previous accuracy, self-assessed confidence, and the species reported reduced the number of volunteer classifications required to achieve levels of accuracy comparable to that of experts. These results illustrate that citizen science allows for accurate and efficient classifications of remote camera data from urban areas. Using the classifications provided by citizen scientists, I then evaluated the suitability of remote cameras to monitor invasive mammals in urban environments. Based on data collected from forest and residential areas of Wellington, New Zealand, remote cameras detected significantly more European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) and rats (Rattus spp.) than tracking tunnels. Cameras, however, missed recording house mice (Mus musculus) on some occasions where tracking tunnels detected them, and vice-versa. Overall, my results demonstrate that remote cameras are a more efficient multi-species monitoring tool than tracking tunnels. Independent of habitat type, cats (Felis catus), hedgehogs, and mice were the species most frequently recorded. Data from remote cameras subsequently helped quantify differences in the occupancy rates of species between residential and forested areas furthering our ecological understanding of the distribution of invasive species in peopled landscapes. To identify the underlying processes influencing the distribution and abundances of invasive mammals found in urban patches of vegetation, I also used remote cameras to investigate the influence of habitat quality, management efforts, interspecific interactions and seasonality on the occupancy and relative abundance of invasive mammals in 47 patches of forest within Wellington. My results indicate that distance to forest edge influences positively on the relative abundance of rodents and negatively on the relative abundance of common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), cats, European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and hedgehogs. The cameras also revealed a positive interaction between the occupancy of ship rats (Rattus rattus) and the abundance of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), a positive influence of the nearby buildings on the occupancy of cats, and how management control reduces the occupancy of target species, particularly during spring. These results illustrate the importance of using season- and species-specific approaches to identify the most important factors influencing the distribution of invasive species in urban environments. Overall, my research highlights the benefits of engaging the public with scientific research, the advantages of using remote cameras to monitor mammals in urban environments and the importance of controlling invasive species at adequate spatial and temporal scales to ensure effective conservation management.</p>

Understanding distributions of invasive mammals in urban environments using remote cameras and citizen science

<p>Preserving biodiversity in urban environments is crucial not only for preventing local extinctions of native species, but also for educating the public about the importance of species conservation. Invasive mammalian species can have negative impacts for both people and biodiversity in urban environments. Understanding the factors influencing the distribution of these invasive species is crucial to comply with the ethical, ecological, and practical concerns associated with their management. Remote cameras are an increasingly popular tool for investigating the distribution and abundance of mammals. Yet few studies have used these cameras in urban environments. The time and effort required to classify remote camera data is the main constraint of this monitoring technique. To determine whether employing citizen science could facilitate the use of remote cameras in urban environments, I investigated the engagement, accuracy, and efficiency of volunteers (i.e., citizen scientists) in classifying animal images recorded by remote cameras in Wellington, New Zealand. Classifications from citizen scientists were in 84.2% agreement with classifications of expert ecologists. However, accuracy varied significantly among species and volunteers. Aggregating multiple classifications per image and highlighting animal movement in the images improved the accuracy of citizen scientists. Additionally, weighting their classifications based on previous accuracy, self-assessed confidence, and the species reported reduced the number of volunteer classifications required to achieve levels of accuracy comparable to that of experts. These results illustrate that citizen science allows for accurate and efficient classifications of remote camera data from urban areas. Using the classifications provided by citizen scientists, I then evaluated the suitability of remote cameras to monitor invasive mammals in urban environments. Based on data collected from forest and residential areas of Wellington, New Zealand, remote cameras detected significantly more European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) and rats (Rattus spp.) than tracking tunnels. Cameras, however, missed recording house mice (Mus musculus) on some occasions where tracking tunnels detected them, and vice-versa. Overall, my results demonstrate that remote cameras are a more efficient multi-species monitoring tool than tracking tunnels. Independent of habitat type, cats (Felis catus), hedgehogs, and mice were the species most frequently recorded. Data from remote cameras subsequently helped quantify differences in the occupancy rates of species between residential and forested areas furthering our ecological understanding of the distribution of invasive species in peopled landscapes. To identify the underlying processes influencing the distribution and abundances of invasive mammals found in urban patches of vegetation, I also used remote cameras to investigate the influence of habitat quality, management efforts, interspecific interactions and seasonality on the occupancy and relative abundance of invasive mammals in 47 patches of forest within Wellington. My results indicate that distance to forest edge influences positively on the relative abundance of rodents and negatively on the relative abundance of common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), cats, European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and hedgehogs. The cameras also revealed a positive interaction between the occupancy of ship rats (Rattus rattus) and the abundance of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), a positive influence of the nearby buildings on the occupancy of cats, and how management control reduces the occupancy of target species, particularly during spring. These results illustrate the importance of using season- and species-specific approaches to identify the most important factors influencing the distribution of invasive species in urban environments. Overall, my research highlights the benefits of engaging the public with scientific research, the advantages of using remote cameras to monitor mammals in urban environments and the importance of controlling invasive species at adequate spatial and temporal scales to ensure effective conservation management.</p>

Design and Fabrication of Low-Cost Thermal Imaging Device Prototype to Detect Heat Energy Loss in Electrical Equipment

Ability to detect heat energy loss from electrical equipment can be proven crucial to avoid overheating and unexpected fire incident. The thermal remote camera was invented to prevent power outages or electrical machinery failures. Thermal imaging cameras are device which converts thermal energy (heat) into infrared spectrum to inspect a specific object or scene. Imagery that reflects the spatial variability of temperature differences in a scene observed by a thermal camera are called thermal images. Due to the complexity of the device, it can be cost and not a solution sought for. This research presents the designing and fabrication of low-cost thermal imaging cameras that plays major role in detecting heat energy losses in various applications. This prototype of thermal imaging cameras is tested to monitor and diagnose the heat health, especially in electrical installations and components in non-contact mode. Based on the test result presented, the prototype able to detect heat energy spectrum up to 80°C. The 8x8 thermal array able to calculate average temperature of the tested items.

Continuous Camera-Based Premature-Infant Monitoring Algorithms for NICU

Non-contact visual monitoring of vital signs in neonatology has been demonstrated by several recent studies in ideal scenarios where the baby is calm and there is no medical or parental intervention. Similar to contact monitoring methods (e.g., ECG, pulse oximeter) the camera-based solutions suffer from motion artifacts. Therefore, during care and the infants’ active periods, calculated values typically differ largely from the real ones. In this way, our main contribution to existing remote camera-based techniques is to detect and classify such situations with a high level of confidence. Our algorithms can not only evaluate quiet periods, but can also provide continuous monitoring. Altogether, our proposed algorithms can measure pulse rate, breathing rate, and to recognize situations such as medical intervention or very active subjects using only a single camera, while the system does not exceed the computational capabilities of average CPU-GPU-based hardware. The performance of the algorithms was evaluated on our database collected at the Ist Dept. of Neonatology of Pediatrics, Dept of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.

Use of Remote Camera Traps to Evaluate Animal-Based Welfare Indicators in Individual Free-Roaming Wild Horses

We previously developed a Ten-Stage Protocol for scientifically assessing the welfare of individual free-roaming wild animals using the Five Domains Model. The protocol includes developing methods for measuring or observing welfare indices. In this study, we assessed the use of remote camera traps to evaluate an extensive range of welfare indicators in individual free-roaming wild horses. Still images and videos were collected and analysed to assess whether horses could be detected and identified individually, which welfare indicators could be reliably evaluated, and whether behaviour could be quantitatively assessed. Remote camera trapping was successful in detecting and identifying horses (75% on still images and 72% on video observation events), across a range of habitats including woodlands where horses could not be directly observed. Twelve indicators of welfare across the Five Domains were assessed with equal frequency on both still images and video, with those most frequently assessable being body condition score (73% and 79% of observation events, respectively), body posture (76% for both), coat condition (42% and 52%, respectively), and whether or not the horse was sweating excessively (42% and 45%, respectively). An additional five indicators could only be assessed on video; those most frequently observable being presence or absence of weakness (66%), qualitative behavioural assessment (60%), presence or absence of shivering (51%), and gait at walk (50%). Specific behaviours were identified in 93% of still images and 84% of video events, and proportions of time different behaviours were captured could be calculated. Most social behaviours were rarely observed, but close spatial proximity to other horses, as an indicator of social bonds, was recorded in 36% of still images, and 29% of video observation events. This is the first study that describes detailed methodology for these purposes. The results of this study can also form the basis of application to other species, which could contribute significantly to advancing the field of wild animal welfare.

Dynamics and predicted distribution of an irrupting ‘sleeper’ population: fallow deer in Tasmania

Sleeper populations of non-native species can remain at low abundance for decades before irrupting. For over a century, fallow deer ( Dama dama ) in the island state of Tasmania, Australia, remained at low abundance and close to the region in which they were released. Recently, there are indications the population has increased in abundance and distribution. Here, we spatially quantify the population change using a time series of annual spotlight counts from 1985 to 2019 (total of 5,761 counts). Next, we predict the potential for further range expansion, using global occurrences to characterise the species’ climatic niche, and remote-camera surveys (n = 3,225) to model fine-grained habitat suitability. Spotlight counts of fallow deer increased by 11.5% annually, resulting in a 40-fold increase from 1985 to 2019. The core distribution increased 2.9-fold during this 35-year period, and now spans c. 27% of Tasmania’s land area. Satellite populations have established in locations where farmed deer have escaped or been released, suggesting that humans have facilitated some of the range expansion via new introduction events. Based on climate and habitat suitability, our models predict that 56% of Tasmania is suitable under the current climate. This suggests range expansion is likely to continue unless the population is actively managed, which could include the eradication of satellite populations and containment of core populations. This case study cautions that despite over a century of slow population growth, sleeper populations of non-native species can abruptly increase.

Two Step Authentication for Election and Girls Safety Through Mobile App and Arduino Sensing Element

Security is popping into a major issue all round the globe because it is important for cover. The first commitment of this paper is for 100 % safe vote projected through transportable application and for the reassurance of women dealing and phony votes. By giving the confirmation like biometric-unique mark and just one occasion secret word (OTP). This framework comprise of on-line enrollment for vote projected, gathers the entire votes and portrays the outcomes. The projected framework includes of arduino sensing element (software),pulse rate sensing element, vibration sensing element and if there's any disadvantage it conjointly utilizes a flaw discovery sensing element. Getting of body developments makes the arduino sensing element to figure by initiation the GPS to send prepared messages by suggests that of GSM. Remote camera catches footage and recordings and ships off the spared crisis contacts. It's used as a preservation instrument and personal democratic.

Improving the detection rate of binturongs (Arctictis binturong) in Palawan Island, Philippines, through the use of arboreal camera-trapping

Although remote camera-traps are used worldwide for ecological studies, the methods of use are often based on ground-level detection. This inherently limits the ability to detect arboreal species. This study aims to test arboreal camera trapping as an alternative method to improve the detection of the binturong (Arctictis binturong). We obtained a total of 41 independent detections of binturongs for 2,973 trap-nights, representing a detection rate of 1.38%. Thus, although statistical comparison with other surveys is not possible, this is currently the highest detection rate for the species. This is encouraging to further develop this method for research on binturongs.

Responses to a poached conspecific in wild forest elephants (Loxodonta africana cyclotis)

The increased attention towards deceased conspecifics in various social animal species is one of the most intriguing conundrums in animal behaviour. The factors that might explain the observed behavioural variation amongst individuals remain nebulous. Here we analyse forest elephants’ (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) responses to a poached adult male conspecific, using remote camera trapping during a period of eight months. After completely avoiding the carcass site for over a week, females and males substantially differed in behavioural responses. Males consistently stayed longer around the remains, showed signs of increased arousal, interacted with the dead body, and twisted trunks with each other. Females, in contrast, were more passively explorative and preferred to visit the site without their dependent offspring. Findings show a previously unknown sexual-dimorphism in forest elephant behaviour towards a poached conspecific and raise the possibility that individuals might be able to infer further context-specific information about the event.