Automated monitoring of biodiversity in the tropics: A pilot study at Barro Colorado Island

Automated monitoring of biodiversity using camera systems and acoustic devises is becoming increasingly common practise. The development of camera traps for insects, however, is relatively new, and has not been tested in tropical environments. To understand both the challenges and opportunities for automated monitoring in the tropics we deployed three newly developed cameras systems for monitoring insects, with a focus on night-flying insects. In addition we deployed audible and ultrasound recording equipment. The locations of each device was changed over the 5 day pilot study, and the configuration of each system was changed to allow an assessment of the relative importance of position, light, etc. The study was undertaken on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, in January 2023.

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