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Data from: Using camera traps to estimate habitat preferences and occupancy patterns of vertebrates in boreal wetlands

Feldman, Mariano1; Mazerolle, Marc2; Imbeau, Louis3; Fenton, Nicole3

Published Oct 10, 2023 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.jsxksn0g4

Data files

Oct 10, 2023 version files 52.08 KB

Abstract

Wetlands are a critical habitat for boreal mammals and birds that rely on them for breeding, foraging, and resting. However, wetlands in boreal regions are increasingly experiencing natural and human pressures. These impacts can lead to a reduction in the availability of wetland habitats for boreal mammals and birds that rely on wetlands for breeding, foraging, and resting. To inform management and conservation, camera traps provide an opportunity to survey mammals and birds to investigate their habitat preferences. We aimed to evaluate the effect of habitat features on the occupancy of mammals and birds in boreal wetlands. We used a multispecies occupancy model to estimate the habitat associations of 11 mammals and 45 avian species detected at 50 sampling ponds during the summers of 2018 and 2019 in Northern Quebec. Our results indicate that certain mammals, such as Red Fox and River Otters, and birds including the American Pipit, Common Raven, Hooded Merganser, and Greater Yellowlegs showed a preference for peatland ponds, whereas the Common Grackle preferred beaver ponds. We found few effects of distance to roads, and no effect of amount of forest cover on species occupancy. The occupancy of 27% of mammals and 24% of birds decreased with increasing latitude. These findings offer valuable insights for informing conservation initiatives focused on the preservation of wetlands in northern Quebec. By discerning the specific types of ponds preferred by each species, conservationists can strategically ensure the preservation and proper management of these habitats, thereby enhancing their conservation efforts.