Evaluating the Relationship Between Camera Trap Intensity and Aerial Surveys to Measure White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Populations

Abstract

By Rhalena Seballos, Zoology ; Noah Bruce, Environmental Studies; Lillian Braun, Environmental Studies; Jacob Lawrence , Environmental Studies; Hannah Lynam, Biological Sciences; Brittany Powers-Luhn, Biological Sciences; Stephen F. Matter, University of Cincinnati

Advisor: Stephen Matter

Presentation ID: 296

Abstract: Measuring urban populations of the herbivorous white-tailed deer, (Odocoileus virginianus) continues to be an important issue facing cities throughout North America. With the need of keeping these populations in check increasing every year, many different methods have been used to perform deer population surveys. Our research team, in partnership with Cincinnati Parks, set out to compare the accuracy of using camera traps throughout urban parks to collect population data against the accuracy of using drones equipped with thermal cameras to collect population data. Our hypothesis is that drone camera surveys are more accurate when used to track deer populations throughout a single area, but the camera traps are more applicable for surveying multiple sites across a much larger area1. Accurately calculating these population numbers is integral to the accompanying projects (see companion posters investigating deer intensity and spring ephemerals).