Wildlife inventory in the Azores using camera trapping

Study Extent

This dataset was obtained from different sampling campaigns performed between 2013 and 2018 in two islands of the central group of the Azores archipelago, Pico and Terceira Islands. We described the study extent of the different sampling campaigns below: 1) The survey "TER_13-15" was conducted between 2013 and 2015 on Terceira island to investigate the ecology of introduced mammals. A total of 72 sites were sampled, but five sites were excluded due to camera failures. Each site was sampled during seven consecutive days. 2) The survey "PIC-TER_18" was conduced in 2018, on Pico and Terceira islands to investigate the ecology of introduced mammals. A total of 69 sites were sampled, with 33 and 34 sites located in Pico and Terceira islands, respectively. Each site was sampled during ten consecutive days. 3) The survey "Vineyards_15-17" was conduced in three consecutive years (2015, 2016 and 2017) in a vineyards area known as Protected Landscape Area of "Vinhas dos Biscoitos", located in the North of Terceira island, to evaluate grape consumption by vertebrates. A total of 117 sites were sampled, with 20, 49 and 48 sites sampled during 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Each site was sampled during seven consecutive days. 4) The survey "Calonectris_16" was conducted in 2016, on Terceira island to asses the impact of introduced mammals. A total of 17 nests of Calonectris diomedea borealis were sampled. Each nest was sampled during ten consecutive days. 5) The survey "Columba_17-18" was conducted in 2017 and 2018, on Terceira island to assess the impact of introduced mammals. A total of 30 nests of Columba palumbus azorica were sampled, with 9 and 21 sites sampled in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Each nest was sampled during ten consecutive days.

Sampling

All sites were sampled using camera traps, which were fixed to a tree or wooden stick. Sampling effort was measured as camera-traps days, i.e., the number of camera traps multiplied by the number of days that they remained active (Rovero et al. 2010). The sensitivity of the infrared sensor was configured to high to increase the species detection (O’Connell et al. 2011). Cameras were configured to take events with 30 seconds of delay between them, recording the date and time of each event. Cameras remained active 24 hours per day. For the surveys "TER_13-15" and "PIC-TER_18" sampling sites were randomly selected, separated at least by 1 km. In each sampling site one camera trap and a bait were deployed, 150-200 cm apart. Bait, consisting of meat or fish, fruit or vegetables and molasses, was used to increase the species detection (du Preez et al. 2014). For the surveys "Vineyards_15-17", "Calonectris_16" and "Columba_17-18" no bait was used. In the case of the "Vineyards_15-17" survey, sampling sites were selected at random, deploying one camera per each site, facing bunches of grapes. For "Calonectris_16" and "Columba_17-18" surveys, one camera was installed at 50-150 cm from the study nest.

Method steps

1. The data has been published as a Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A), which is a standardised format for sharing biodiversity data as a set of one or more data tables. The core data table (events) contains 2,308 records and one data table extension also exists (occurrence), with 108,186 records. The extension supplies extra information about the core record.

The majority of observed vertebrates were identified to species level. In some few cases only the genus, family, order or class were identified.

1. Mammalia
   common name: Mammals rank: class
2. Aves
   common name: Birds rank: class
3. Reptilia
   common name: Reptiles rank: class
4. Amphibia
   common name: Amphibians rank: class

Pico and Terceira islands, the Azores, Macaronesia, Portugal.