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Integrating seascape ecology and remote sensing to map and conserve coral reefs
Remote sensing of three‐dimensional coral reef structure enhances predictive modeling of fish assemblages
Lisa M. Wedding, Stacy Jorgensen, Christopher A. Lepczyk, Alan M. Friedlander
13 April 2019
Research published in Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation employs a new approach of combining two-dimensional and three-dimensional remotely sensed seascape models to more accurately identify complex reef structure, and the populations of fish living within them. Creating cost effective and accurate spatial methods of identifying coastal "hotspots" is an essential step in the creation of effective management plans for marine protection and conservation.
Featured articles
Articles
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more >Open access
Classifying wetland‐related land cover types and habitats using fine‐scale lidar metrics derived from country‐wide Airborne Laser Scanning
-  9 June 2020
Abstract
Mapping 3D vegetation structure in wetlands is important for conservation and monitoring. Openly accessible country‐wide Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data — using lidar technology — are increasingly becoming available and allow us to quantify 3D vegetation structures at fine resolution and across broad spatial extents. Here, we develop a new, open‐source workflow for classifying wetland‐related land cover types and habitats using fine‐scale lidar metrics derived from country‐wide ALS data. We focus on developing an open‐source workflow that contains (1) pre‐processing of ALS data, (2) calculation of lidar metrics, (3) assessing feature importance of lidar metrics for classifying wetland habitats, and (4) applying a Random Forest algorithm for mapping and prediction. Our results demonstrate that country‐wide ALS data can differentiate land cover and reedbed habitats within wetlands. Given appropriate training data, our lidar processing workflow can be up‐scaled to a country‐wide extent which would allow a comprehensive mapping and monitoring of wetland habitats.
Open accessEcoacoustics in the rain: understanding acoustic indices under the most common geophonic source in tropical rainforests
-  22 May 2020
Abstract
Association between acoustic index values and rainfall intensity level. Values include non‐effect (black circles) or effect of the habitat type: forest (green circles) and non‐forest mosaic (orange squares). We evaluated for the first time, the effect of rainfall occurrence and intensity on the most common acoustic indices used in passive acoustic monitoring. We found that indices respond differently to rainfall and we advise careful biological interpretations derived from acoustics indices in highly pluvious forests.
Open accessOpportunities for improving conservation early warning and alert systems
-  22 May 2020
Abstract
Conservation early warning and alert systems provide tremendous opportunities to inform strategic and effective environmental responses. However, these systems are not systematically evaluated based on how they are contributing to conservation outcomes. We survey the current state of conservation early warning and alert systems enabled by satellite monitoring to support tropical forest management and distinguish two types of systems characterized by the user‐application and the timeframe for decision making, Rapid Response and Targeted Response. We see a need for more systematic evaluations that quantify their environmental and socio‐economic benefits and improved indicators that measure progress towards achieving conservation outcomes. To inform system developers, we summarize best practices for increasing system adoption and use gleaned from seasoned applications of early warning and alert systems for conservation and humanitarian applications.
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more >Open access
Will remote sensing shape the next generation of species distribution models?
- Kate S. He
- Bethany A. Bradley
- Anna F. Cord
- Duccio Rocchini
- Mao‐Ning Tuanmu
- Sebastian Schmidtlein
- Woody Turner
- Martin Wegmann
- Nathalie Pettorelli
-  4-18
-  13 October 2015
Abstract
In this perspective piece, we demonstrate how modern sensors onboard satellites, planes and unmanned aerial vehicles are revolutionizing the way we can detect and monitor both plant and animal species in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems as well as allowing the emergence of novel predictor variables appropriate for species distribution modeling.
Open accessFraming the concept of satellite remote sensing essential biodiversity variables: challenges and future directions
- Nathalie Pettorelli
- Martin Wegmann
- Andrew Skidmore
- Sander Mücher
- Terence P. Dawson
- Miguel Fernandez
- Richard Lucas
- Michael E. Schaepman
- Tiejun Wang
- Brian O'Connor
- Robert H.G. Jongman
- Pieter Kempeneers
- Ruth Sonnenschein
- Allison K. Leidner
- Monika Böhm
- Kate S. He
- Harini Nagendra
- Grégoire Dubois
- Temilola Fatoyinbo
- Matthew C. Hansen
- Marc Paganini
- Helen M. de Klerk
- Gregory P. Asner
- Jeremy T. Kerr
- Anna B. Estes
- Dirk S. Schmeller
- Uta Heiden
- Duccio Rocchini
- Henrique M. Pereira
- Eren Turak
- Nestor Fernandez
- Angela Lausch
- Moses A. Cho
- Domingo Alcaraz‐Segura
- Mélodie A. McGeoch
- Woody Turner
- Andreas Mueller
- Véronique St‐Louis
- Johannes Penner
- Petteri Vihervaara
- Alan Belward
- Belinda Reyers
- Gary N. Geller
-  122-131
-  25 March 2016
Abstract
This contribution introduces a set of definitions and principles that are believed to be necessary if ecologists and space agencies are to agree on a list of essential biodiversity variables that can be routinely monitored from space. In particular, it argues that progress toward the identification of satellite remote sensing EBVs (SRS‐EBVs) will require a clear understanding of what makes a biodiversity variable essential, as well as agreement on who the users of the SRS‐EBVs are.
Open accessA review of camera trapping for conservation behaviour research
- Anthony Caravaggi
- Peter B. Banks
- A Cole Burton
- Caroline M. V. Finlay
- Peter M. Haswell
- Matt W. Hayward
- Marcus J. Rowcliffe
- Mike D. Wood
-  109-122
-  18 June 2017
Abstract
Camera traps are well suited to ethological studies and provide considerable opportunities for the generation of important behavioural data which would benefit conservation processes. We provide a review of current applications of camera traps to behavioural studies, describe new and emerging directions in camera‐based conservation behaviour, and highlight a number of limitations and considerations of particular relevance to behavioural studies conducted using camera traps. We suggest three promising areas for the growth of camera‐based inferences on animal behaviour to support conservation: (1) documenting anthropogenic impacts on behaviour; (2) using behavioural indicators such as GUD and daily activity patterns; and (3) behaviour‐based conservation management.
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Open access
A review of camera trapping for conservation behaviour research
- Anthony Caravaggi
- Peter B. Banks
- A Cole Burton
- Caroline M. V. Finlay
- Peter M. Haswell
- Matt W. Hayward
- Marcus J. Rowcliffe
- Mike D. Wood
- Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation
-  109-122
-  18 June 2017
Abstract
Camera traps are well suited to ethological studies and provide considerable opportunities for the generation of important behavioural data which would benefit conservation processes. We provide a review of current applications of camera traps to behavioural studies, describe new and emerging directions in camera‐based conservation behaviour, and highlight a number of limitations and considerations of particular relevance to behavioural studies conducted using camera traps. We suggest three promising areas for the growth of camera‐based inferences on animal behaviour to support conservation: (1) documenting anthropogenic impacts on behaviour; (2) using behavioural indicators such as GUD and daily activity patterns; and (3) behaviour‐based conservation management.
Open accessSatellite remote sensing of ecosystem functions: opportunities, challenges and way forward
- Nathalie Pettorelli
- Henrike Schulte to Bühne
- Ayesha Tulloch
- Grégoire Dubois
- Cate Macinnis‐Ng
- Ana M. Queirós
- David A. Keith
- Martin Wegmann
- Franziska Schrodt
- Marion Stellmes
- Ruth Sonnenschein
- Gary N. Geller
- Shovonlal Roy
- Ben Somers
- Nicholas Murray
- Lucie Bland
- Ilse Geijzendorffer
- Jeremy T. Kerr
- Stefanie Broszeit
- Pedro J. Leitão
- Clare Duncan
- Ghada El Serafy
- Kate S. He
- Julia L. Blanchard
- Richard Lucas
- Paola Mairota
- Thomas J. Webb
- Emily Nicholson
- Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation
-  71-93
-  10 August 2017
Abstract
This paper aims to advance the development of a global biodiversity monitoring strategy by proposing the adoption of a set of definitions and a typology for ecosystem functions, and reviewing current opportunities and potential limitations for satellite remote sensing technology to support the monitoring of ecosystem functions worldwide.
Open accessInvestigating animal activity patterns and temporal niche partitioning using camera‐trap data: challenges and opportunities
- Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation
-  123-132
-  18 August 2017
Abstract
Within the last decade, camera‐trap data have been increasingly used to study species activity patterns and niche partitioning, as well as a large variety of methods to analyse the data. This review outlines the questions that may be asked from camera‐trap data regarding species activities, temporal niche partitioning and the abiotic and biotic variables which may influence species behaviours and interactions, and highlights those approaches where gains have been best made in improving our understanding of such processes. We also explore the future directions where our understanding of the combined spatiotemporal aspects of species niche partitioning and responses to emerging environmental stressors (e.g. climate and landscape changes, biodiversity loss, changes to community composition) can best be advanced.
Open accessCamera‐trapping version 3.0: current constraints and future priorities for development
- Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation
-  209-223
-  28 January 2019
Abstract
We present results from a global survey of camera‐trappers which show that: (1) the major current constraints on effective camera‐trapping are cost, theft and sensor performance (with 66%, 50% and 42% of respondents respectively classifying those as important or extremely important barriers for camera‐trapping); (2) the most‐needed technological developments are related to sensor performance (faster triggering responses and higher sensitivity), resistance to extreme environmental conditions (extreme temperatures and high humidity) and automated filtering of blank images; and that (3) there is considerable variation among camera trap manufacturers in user‐rated performance, and none of the manufacturer ratings exhibited a trend over time, despite improvements in the technology. Our results serve as valuable market research for both open‐source and commercial camera trap developers.
Open accessWill remote sensing shape the next generation of species distribution models?
- Kate S. He
- Bethany A. Bradley
- Anna F. Cord
- Duccio Rocchini
- Mao‐Ning Tuanmu
- Sebastian Schmidtlein
- Woody Turner
- Martin Wegmann
- Nathalie Pettorelli
- Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation
-  4-18
-  13 October 2015
Abstract
In this perspective piece, we demonstrate how modern sensors onboard satellites, planes and unmanned aerial vehicles are revolutionizing the way we can detect and monitor both plant and animal species in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems as well as allowing the emergence of novel predictor variables appropriate for species distribution modeling.
-
Open access
Key frontiers in camera trapping research
Open accessInvestigating animal activity patterns and temporal niche partitioning using camera‐trap data: challenges and opportunities
Abstract
Within the last decade, camera‐trap data have been increasingly used to study species activity patterns and niche partitioning, as well as a large variety of methods to analyse the data. This review outlines the questions that may be asked from camera‐trap data regarding species activities, temporal niche partitioning and the abiotic and biotic variables which may influence species behaviours and interactions, and highlights those approaches where gains have been best made in improving our understanding of such processes. We also explore the future directions where our understanding of the combined spatiotemporal aspects of species niche partitioning and responses to emerging environmental stressors (e.g. climate and landscape changes, biodiversity loss, changes to community composition) can best be advanced.
Open accessA frontier in the use of camera traps: surveying terrestrial squamate assemblages
Abstract
There is an urgent need to improve methods for surveying snakes and lizards (squamates). Currently, fundamental data gaps exist about squamate distributions and abundance in numerous regions. Traditional squamate survey methods are useful, but also resource intensive due to their labour‐intensive nature. In recent decades, camera traps have provided researchers an effective, cost‐efficient and ethical survey tool; albeit primarily for birds, mammals and fish. The use of camera traps for reptiles generally, and squamates specifically, has been limited. Nevertheless, recent developments in camera trapping methodology demonstrate how they can be used to survey a squamate assemblage. Although further research is required, these developments are encouraging. Therefore, surveying squamates with camera traps is a key future frontier in camera trapping.







