Camera Trapping for Wildlife Research

Although its subject is a kind of animal photography, this book has very few pictures, being a scholarly work aimed at helping readers to use automated cameras to answer specific questions about wildlife. It is well-written, and its few images are well chosen to illustrate and clarify relevant concepts. The structure is sensible, taking the reader from introductory chapters about camera types, deployment and survey design through to more in-depth chapters describing how this information can be analysed and interpreted.

The material covered in each chapter is clearly presented, with good use made of examples. These are drawn largely from studies carried out by the authors, who bring formidable knowledge and experience to the instructions and advice. However, there are many situations where the book would benefit from consideration of a wider perspective, drawing more heavily on the findings of others.

For prospective and current users of camera traps studying diversity of tropical mammal assemblages, or populations of large mammals with individually-identifiable markings, the book provides a wealth of helpful detail in areas that are likely to be of particular interest and relevance to them. However, for students of camera trapping whose interests diverge from the situations that the book focusses on, some of the material in the book will be less relevant. These might include ecologists interested in population assessment of unmarked individuals, using cameras at bird nests, studying urban wildlife where power supply might not be limited, or working with data storage solutions or analysis software other than those described in the book.

Overall, the book provides a decent overview to the main issues that students of camera trapping should consider, and gives excellent guidance particularly for those whose studies align with those of the authors. However, some readers may be disappointed at the lack of information provided about the aspects of camera trapping and analysis that most interest them.

Book reviewed by Mark Wilson