Data from: Zooming in on mechanistic predator-prey ecology: integrating camera traps with experimental methods to reveal the drivers of ecological interactions

1. Camera trap technology has galvanized the study of predator-prey
ecology in wild animal communities by expanding the scale and diversity of
predator-prey interactions that can be analyzed. While observational data
from systematic camera arrays have informed inferences on the
spatiotemporal outcomes of predator-prey interactions, the capacity for
observational studies to identify mechanistic drivers of species
interactions is limited. 2. Experimental study designs that utilize camera
traps uniquely allow for testing hypothesized mechanisms that drive
predator and prey behavior, incorporating environmental realism not
possible in the lab while benefiting from the distinct capacity of camera
traps to generate large data sets from multiple species with minimal
observer interference. However, such pairings of camera traps with
experimental methods remain underutilized. 3. We review recent advances in
the experimental application of camera traps to investigate fundamental
mechanisms underlying predator-prey ecology and present a conceptual guide
for designing experimental camera trap studies. 4. Only 9% of camera trap
studies on predator-prey ecology in our review mention experimental
methods, but the application of experimental approaches is increasing. To
illustrate the utility of camera trap-based experiments using a case
study, we propose a study design that integrates observational and
experimental techniques to test a perennial question in predator-prey
ecology: how prey balance foraging and safety, as formalized by the risk
allocation hypothesis. We discuss applications of camera trap-based
experiments to evaluate the diversity of anthropogenic influences on
wildlife communities globally. Finally, we review challenges to conducting
experimental camera trap studies. 5. Experimental camera trap studies have
already begun to play an important role in understanding the predator-prey
ecology of free-living animals, and such methods will become increasingly
critical to quantifying drivers of community interactions in a rapidly
changing world. We recommend increased application of experimental methods
in the study of predator and prey responses to humans, synanthropic and
invasive species, and other anthropogenic disturbances.

1. 相机陷阱（camera trap）技术通过扩大可分析的捕食者-猎物相互作用的规模与多样性，极大推动了野生群落中捕食者-猎物生态学的研究进展。尽管基于系统性相机阵列的观测数据，已为推断捕食者-猎物相互作用的时空结局提供了实证支撑，但观测研究在识别物种种间相互作用的机制驱动因素方面仍存在明显局限。
2. 结合相机陷阱开展的实验研究设计，可针对性地检验驱动捕食者与猎物行为的假说机制——既能够还原实验室条件下难以实现的环境真实性，又可依托相机陷阱的独特优势，在最小化观察者干扰的前提下，获取覆盖多物种的大规模数据集。然而，此类相机陷阱与实验方法的联用方案仍未得到充分开发与应用。
3. 本文综述了将相机陷阱应用于实验研究以探究捕食者-猎物生态学底层机制的最新进展，并提出了一套用于设计相机陷阱实验研究的概念性指南。
4. 在本次综述涵盖的捕食者-猎物生态学相关相机陷阱研究中，仅有9%提及了实验方法，但实验手段的应用正处于稳步增长态势。为阐释基于相机陷阱的实验研究的应用价值，本文通过案例研究提出了一套整合观测与实验技术的研究方案，用以检验捕食者-猎物生态学领域的经典问题：猎物如何平衡觅食与生存安全——这一问题已由风险分配假说（risk allocation hypothesis）予以形式化阐述。本文还讨论了基于相机陷阱的实验在评估全球范围内人为活动对野生群落影响的多样性方面的应用场景，并最终梳理了开展相机陷阱实验研究面临的各类挑战。
5. 基于相机陷阱的实验研究已在理解自由活动动物的捕食者-猎物生态学方面发挥了重要作用，而此类方法在快速变化的全球背景下，对于量化群落相互作用的驱动因素将愈发关键。本文建议进一步推广实验方法在以下研究中的应用：探究捕食者与猎物对人类、伴人生物与入侵物种以及其他人为干扰的响应机制。