Using Camera Trap for Biotic Survey in Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve, Quang Tri Province

Abstract

Camera trap is an effective tool for surveying and monitoring biodiversity, especially with regard to elusive and endangered species and in remote areas with limited access. In this study, we deployed nine camera traps in Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve, Quang Tri Province, from April 2016 to March 2017 to survey local fauna. After nearly one year, our camera traps recorded approximately 7000 identifiable photos with 851 independent events, and detected 26 species, 14 mammals and 12 birds. Of these species, the Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca leonina) and the Orange-headed Thrush (Zoothera citrina) are most frequently recorded among mammals and birds, respectively. In addition, using the software package camtrapR, we are able to calculate relative abundance index and native occupancy for each species, and well as activity patterns for some threatened species. The information is valuable for designing conservation progams for the species in the future. Our results show that camera traps is a very promising tool in supporting biotic survey and conservation programs, because it can provide insights into species presence/absence, abundance, and activity. However, there is a number of challenges, which need to be resolved, in employing camera traps in biotic survey and monitoring in Vietnam in the future.