Camera Trapping Module – opportune observations of particular species may warrant the use of camera trapping.
Pre-requisites for completing this protocol:
+Opportune observations can be recorded at any stage of a project +and are not dependent on other modules.
Time estimates vary depending on the level of detail recorded and +whether voucher specimens are collected. As a general guide, allow:
+2 – 5 minutes to record an opportune flora observation in the +Monitor app, depending on if a voucher specimen is collected.
2 – 10 minutes to record an opportune fauna observation in the +app, depending on if a voucher specimen is collected.
5 minutes processing time per flora voucher specimen (barcode and +press).
5 – 30 minutes processing time per fauna voucher specimen (e.g. +tissue sampling, preservation, labelling, barcode).
5 minutes per record to upload any photos/videos/audio recordings +collected outside of the app.
Number of personnel and skills:
+Opportune observations can be completed by one person but is +easier with two, so one can make the observations and the other can +record the data directly into the app.
The surveyor making the observations is ideally familiar with and +experienced in identifying the flora and fauna within the area.
Scientific permits may be required for the collection of voucher +specimens. Land access permissions are required.
ABARES (2016) The Australian Land Use and Management Classification @@ -512,21 +544,21 @@ specimens). Vertebrate vouchering is not covered in the EMSA Modules voucher specimens (animal remains or signs) include when:
species identification is uncertain
a record is considered important (e.g. the species has a limited +
Species identification is uncertain
+A record is considered important (e.g. the species has a limited occurrence, there are few existing records, the record represents a range extension (including introduced species), the specimen has -atypical characteristics)
the voucher is in better condition or has more scientific value -(e.g. more likely to provide species identification) than previously -collected specimens
animal remains or signs are considered important for other -studies (e.g. genetics, diet, parasites and zoonoses)
advised by the relevant museum to address scientific knowledge +atypical characteristics)
+The voucher is in better condition or has more scientific value (e.g. +more likely to provide species identification) than previously collected +specimens
+Animal remains or signs are considered important for other studies +(e.g. genetics, diet, parasites and zoonoses)
Advised by the relevant museum to address scientific knowledge gaps and improve representation within their collection
it is a required condition of permits, approved by an animal +
It is a required condition of permits, approved by an animal ethics committee
a dead specimen or sign is of a threatened or presumed extinct +
A dead specimen or sign is of a threatened or presumed extinct species, no matter what the quality/condition.
Road kill, beach washed and freshly deceased: whole, with the skull +intact, clean (no blood stains) and not decomposing (strong odour, fur, +feathers or skin easily fall off) or desiccated.
+Skeletal material: dry, whole and partial skeletal material may be +useful, depending on species and condition. Broken or fractured +bones/skulls are not useful.
Road kill, beach washed and freshly deceased: whole, with the -skull intact, clean (no blood stains) and not decomposing (strong odour, -fur, feathers or skin easily fall off) or desiccated.
Skeletal material: dry, whole and partial skeletal material may -be useful, depending on species and condition. Broken or fractured -bones/skulls are not useful.
Eggs and nests: abandoned nests or eggs are a good record of breeding data for birds. Alternatively, a photo and measurements of the eggs and/or nest can be used as an observational record (DPaW @@ -557,7 +589,8 @@ was dead before the tissues were sampled. This will assist in interpreting potentially anomalous results in the lab (Owens 2000). Photos can be taken of the specimen (with scale) to accompany the record. Ideally include close-ups showing features, any tags/microchip -numbers etc., as well as photos of the surrounding environment.
If a specimen is not required, is not of a suitable condition for collection, or animal ethics approval has not been obtained, then take photos (with scale) instead (DPaW 2013).
Pre-requisites for completing this protocol:
-Opportune observations can be recorded at any stage of a project -and are not dependent on other modules.
Time estimates vary depending on the level of detail recorded and -whether voucher specimens are collected. As a general guide, allow:
-2 – 5 minutes to record an opportune flora observation in the -Monitor app, depending on if a voucher specimen is collected.
2 – 10 minutes to record an opportune fauna observation in the -app, depending on if a voucher specimen is collected.
5 minutes processing time per flora voucher specimen (barcode and -press).
5 – 30 minutes processing time per fauna voucher specimen (e.g. -tissue sampling, preservation, labelling, barcode).
5 minutes per record to upload any photos/videos/audio recordings -collected outside of the app.
Number of personnel and skills:
-Opportune observations can be completed by one person but is -easier with two, so one can make the observations and the other can -record the data directly into the app.
The surveyor making the observations is ideally familiar with and -experienced in identifying the flora and fauna within the area.
Scientific permits may be required for the collection of voucher -specimens. Land access permissions are required.
Open the Monitor app and select the Opportune Module from the -projects page or via the yellow quick-access opportune button -located in the top right corner of the screen.
Select add observation record, A unique sequential -observation ID is automatically assigned to the -record.
Add photos, video or audio for the observation -(if applicable) using the in-app camera/audio recorder or selecting from -the camera roll/audio recorder on your device. If files are on another -device, enter a media ID (i.e. the unique photo ID on the -external device) so the files can be uploaded later when accessing the -app from a computer. Enter a description (free text) to -accompany each file, e.g. close up of thorns.
Since the opportune collection is not plot-based, and therefore +not associated with a plot visit, record the start date time +(yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss) of the opportune survey. This is only required +prior to recording the first opportune record.
+Save the opportune survey (start) component. The first opportune +record will open. A unique sequential observation ID is +automatically assigned to the record.
Media including photos, video or audio can be +recorded for the observation. Enter a comment to accompany each +file (e.g. close up of thorns).
The date, time and location of the observation are automatically recorded but can be changed as necessary (i.e. if entering a record after the event). To change the location, -select choose on map or enter specific coordinates. If the -location is recorded on a stand-alone GPS, enter a GPS ID so -the coordinates can be uploaded later.
Select the taxa type from the drop-down list.
Select the species or the lowest taxonomic level known -using the search function and drop-down list (as you type, options will -be provided by species, genus, class, order, and family). The common -name and scientific name are shown for each species. If the +select choose on map or enter specific coordinates.
Select the taxa type from the drop-down list. This +filters the species and other drop-down lists.
Record the species from the drop-down list. Begin typing +the scientific or common name to query the species list. If the identification is unknown and pending the review of evidence collected, -then manually enter a descriptive field name instead e.g. Acacia -spiky. The field name given during this step should be used as the +then manually enter a descriptive field name instead (e.g. Acacia +spiky). The field name given during this step should be used as the field name every time that species is encountered within a survey event.
Switch the confident toggle to off if the -identification is uncertain. The default is on (see Additional Guidelines).
Record the number of individuals observed (zero, blank and no selection are invalid) and select if the number of individuals is exact or an estimate.
Select the observation method (tier 1 to tier 3) from -the drop-down list (refer to Appendix 1 for the full list of +the drop-down list (refer to Appendix 1 for the full list of options).
Select the observer/s (drop-down list, multiple +
Select the observers (drop-down list, multiple selections allowed, or manually enter first name, middle initial and last name).
If observed outside of a plot, record the habitat (major -vegetation group) from the drop-down list.
Record observation notes (optional) as free text (e.g. -additional habitat information, condition, fauna behaviour, presumed -cause of death, appearance, signs of disease, tag details (ID -number/colour/Bluetooth ID).
Toggle on to record advanced details (optional; refer to -Appendix 2). Relevant fields will be visible based on the selection of -taxa type in Step 5. For flora, select the growth form and -life stage (multiple selections allowed) from the drop-down -lists. For direct observations of fauna, select the sex, -age class and breeding status from the drop-down lists -and record fauna measurements (where relevant).
If a voucher specimen is collected, switch the toggle to
-on. Assign a unique barcode label to the specimen and scan
+ Record the habitat (major vegetation group) (optional)
+from the drop-down list. Record any comments (optional) (e.g. additional habitat
+information, condition, fauna behaviour, presumed cause of death,
+appearance, signs of disease, tag details (ID number/colour/Bluetooth
+ID). For flora, select the growth form and life
+stage (multiple selections allowed) from the drop-down
+lists. For fauna, check the checkbox to record additional fauna
+details (optional; refer to Appendix 2). Relevant fields will be
+visible based on the selection of taxa type in Step 5. For direct
+observations of fauna, select the sex, age class and
+breeding status from the drop-down lists and record fauna
+measurements (where relevant). If a voucher specimen is collected, check the checkbox.
+Assign a unique voucher barcode to the specimen and scan
the barcode (see section 3.2.2 Voucher specimen collection). Select
voucher type (tier 1 and tier 2) from the drop-down list (refer
to Appendix 3. for the full list of options). For vertebrate fauna
remains (i.e. carcasses), select the condition of the specimen
from the drop-down list. Select the preservative type
-(drop-down list) and specify the % concentration if relevant
-(e.g. 95% undenatured ethanol). Record any voucher comments
-(optional) as free text (e.g. physical description of the specimen,
-linked voucher IDs, prey/parasites collected with samples). Select the add voucher specimen to add additional
-voucher specimens for the same observation (e.g. a plant voucher and a
-plant tissue voucher). Each specimen is allocated a unique
-barcode. Select save to save the opportune record. Repeat from
-Step 3.1.5 to add another observation. At the end of a survey event, select complete protocol.
-The observation records can be edited as necessary.
Add additional voucher specimens for the same observation (e.g. a +plant voucher and a plant tissue voucher) if required. Each specimen is +allocated a unique barcode.
Save the opportune record. Add another opportune record for the +current location if required. A new opportune record will open. The next +unique sequential observation ID is automatically assigned to +the record. Repeat steps 4–18.
After all opportune records for the current location are saved, +select the back button at the top of page to return to the project +page.
Record additional records by selecting the Opportune Module and +then the edit button.
At the end of the survey, complete the opportune component and +then record the end date time (yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss) of the +opportune survey. Check the summary of the data and queue the collection +for submission.