The detection, identification and study of terrestrial vertebrates harder to spot because of its rarity, elusive nocturnal habits or schedules of activities, among which are most of the mammals took a major leap forward with the development of techniques of trail cameras by using video and adapted to be left at the field and automatically shot when the animals cross. Now, with the revolution of digital photography and the emergence of modern equipment designed on purpose, the use of trail cameras has been greatly extended, while that has been refining the understanding of the wide range of data and information that can be obtained and expanding the range of applications and utilities.
But there was a practical manual on the technique to make it more accessible to the hispanic community, a gap that now covers this work, in which the author, in close and clear language, describes the origins of trail cameras, current equipment, characteristics same, uses and advice on choosing equipment correctly according to our goals and needs, applications of trail cameras to study wildlife, from simple detection of species inventories, monitoring of populations and processes, behavioral studies, monitoring, etc. Factors to consider for the installation of equipment in the field, the use of bait, attractants or odors and other monitoring captures images and standardize and process information is also presented. It also extends the study of wildlife populations using trail camera, explaining the basics of distribution and sampling units, census methodologies and use of statistics applicable to the results and recommendations for developing effective trail camera campaigns, all illustrated with real examples from both Spain and Latin America.
This manual is intended for biologists, zoologists, ecologists, environmentalists, technicians and managers of biodiversity, protected areas and natural resources, environmental consultants, rangers, forestry and environmental agents, as well as students of these materials and naturalists, conservationists, photographers nature and others interested in the study, management and conservation of terrestrial vertebrates, or simply in its observation, detection, and identification photograph.
