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Bacheler NM, Berrane DJ, Mitchell WA, Schobernd CM, Schobernd ZH, Teer BZ, Ballenger JC
Environmental conditions and habitat characteristics influence trap and video detection probabilities for reef fish species
Most ecological surveys ignore the fact that sampling gears rarely detect all species present at a site, which can bias habitat relationships and result in flawed management decisions. Bacheler and colleagues used a paired trap-video sampling approach and binomial generalized additive models to show that fish traps and underwater video each often miss reef fish present at a site. Traps were more likely to miss reef fish species when most of the substrate was hard bottom and water temperature was cold, while video tended to miss species when water clarity was low and the video camera was facing up-current. Adding video to traditional sampling gears not only helps to maximize detection probability, but also allows for its estimation.