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Goodenough, Anne E 
ORCID: 0000-0002-7662-6670, Carpenter, William S ORCID: 0009-0001-9031-5561, MacTavish, Lynne, MacTavish, Dougal, Theron, Charles and Hart, Adam G ORCID: 0000-0002-4795-9986
(2018)
Empirically testing the effectiveness of thermal imaging as a tool for identification of large mammals in the African bushveldt.
African Journal of Ecology, 56 (1).
pp. 51-62.
doi:10.1111/aje.12416
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Text (Post peer reviewed version)
TI Mammal Final Afr J Ecology Post Review figures at end.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License All Rights Reserved. Download (967kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Monitoring animal populations often relies on direct visual observations. This is problematic at night when spotlighting can cause misidentification and inaccurate counting. Using infrared thermography (IRT) could potentially solve these difficulties, but reliability is uncertain. Here, we test the accuracy of 24 observers, differing in experience and skill levels, in identifying antelope species from IRT photographs taken in the African bush. Overall, 38% of identifications were correct to species level and 50% were correct to genus/subfamily level. Identification accuracy depended on the confidence and skill of the observer (positive relationship), the number of animals present (positive relationship), and the distance at which it was taken (negative relationship). Species with characteristic features, horn morphology, or posture were identified with ~80% accuracy (e.g. wildebeest, kudu, impala) while others were considerably lower (e.g. blesbok, waterbuck). Experience significantly improved identification accuracy but the effect was not consistent between species and even experienced observers struggled to identify red hartebeest, reedbuck and eland. Counting inaccuracies were commonplace, particularly when group size was large. We conclude that thermal characteristics of species and experience of observers can pose challenges for African field ecologists but IRT can be used to identify and count some species accurately, especially <100m.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Article Type: | Article |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Antelope identification; Infrared thermography; Nocturnal surveying; Species monitoring; Survey tool |
| Subjects: | Q Science > QL Zoology |
| Divisions: | Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Science |
| Research Priority Areas: | Place, Environment and Community |
| Depositing User: | Susan Turner |
| Date Deposited: | 13 Mar 2017 12:44 |
| Last Modified: | 22 Sep 2023 13:15 |
| URI: | https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/4392 |
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