caa a22 4500 605526966 CHVBK 20210128100806.0 cr unu---uuuuu 210128e20151101xx s 000 0 eng 10.1007/s10531-015-0986-5 doi (NATIONALLICENCE)springer-10.1007/s10531-015-0986-5 Hide and seek: extended camera-trap session lengths and autumn provide best parameters for estimating lynx densities in mountainous areas [Elektronische Daten] [Kirsten Weingarth, Thorsten Zeppenfeld, Christoph Heibl, Marco Heurich, Ludĕk Bufka, Kristina Daniszová, Jörg Müller] A tool commonly used in wildlife biology is density estimation via camera-trap monitoring coupled with capture-recapture analysis. Reliable regional density estimations of animal populations are required as a basis for management decisions. However, these estimations are affected by the session design, such as the length of the monitoring session, season, and number of trap sites. This method is regularly used to monitor Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) which mostly occupy the forested mountain ranges in Central Europe. Here we used intensive field sampling data of a major Central European lynx population to investigate (1) the optimal monitoring session length considering the trade-off between population closure and number of recaptures for density estimates, (2) the optimal time window within the year considering the stability of density estimates, detection probability, recapture number, and reproduction, and (3) the number of trap sites and trap spacing required to achieve robust density estimates. Using two closure tests, we found that 80days are the minimum to ensure adequate data quality. A spatially explicit capture-recapture model revealed the best monitoring period to be late summer to early winter. Based on our results, we recommend for similar management units of comparable size (~300km2) and similar recapture numbers to sample for at least 80days in autumn with traps spaced about every 2.5-3km. Our results also indicated that stable density estimates could still be maintained when the sampling area is enlarged to 760km2 with trap spacing every 5-6km if session lengths are increased. Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht, 2015 Lynx lynx nationallicence Spatially explicit capture-recapture model (SECR) nationallicence Camera traps nationallicence Forested areas nationallicence Mountainous areas nationallicence Density estimates nationallicence Weingarth Kirsten Department of Research and Documentation, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481, Grafenau, Germany aut Zeppenfeld Thorsten Department of Research and Documentation, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481, Grafenau, Germany aut Heibl Christoph Department of Research and Documentation, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481, Grafenau, Germany aut Heurich Marco Department of Research and Documentation, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481, Grafenau, Germany aut Bufka Ludĕk Šumava National Park Administration, 1 maje 260, 35801, Vimperk, Czech Republic aut Daniszová Kristina Šumava National Park Administration, 1 maje 260, 35801, Vimperk, Czech Republic aut Müller Jörg Department of Research and Documentation, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481, Grafenau, Germany aut Biodiversity and Conservation Springer Netherlands 24/12(2015-11-01), 2935-2952 0960-3115 24:12<2935 2015 24 10531 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-015-0986-5 text/html Onlinezugriff via DOI BK010053 XK010053 XK010000 Metadata rights reserved Springer special CC-BY-NC licence nationallicence 1 research-article jats NATIONALLICENCE NATIONALLICENCE NL-springer NATIONALLICENCE 856 40 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-015-0986-5 text/html Onlinezugriff via DOI NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Weingarth Kirsten Department of Research and Documentation, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481, Grafenau, Germany aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Zeppenfeld Thorsten Department of Research and Documentation, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481, Grafenau, Germany aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Heibl Christoph Department of Research and Documentation, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481, Grafenau, Germany aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Heurich Marco Department of Research and Documentation, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481, Grafenau, Germany aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Bufka Ludĕk Šumava National Park Administration, 1 maje 260, 35801, Vimperk, Czech Republic aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Daniszová Kristina Šumava National Park Administration, 1 maje 260, 35801, Vimperk, Czech Republic aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Müller Jörg Department of Research and Documentation, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481, Grafenau, Germany aut NATIONALLICENCE 773 0- Biodiversity and Conservation Springer Netherlands 24/12(2015-11-01), 2935-2952 0960-3115 24:12<2935 2015 24 10531