Gazagne, E, Gray, RJ, Wich, S, Hambuckers, A and Brotcorne, F (2024) Development of a global thermal detection index to prioritize primate research with thermal drones. Scientific Reports, 14 (1).

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Abstract

Thermal Infrared (TIR) drones are emerging as effective tools for wildlife ecology monitoring and are increasingly employed in primate surveys. However, systematic methods for assessing primate detectability are lacking. We present a comprehensive approach utilizing a novel Thermal Detection Index (TDI) to evaluate the potential of TIR drones for primate monitoring. We developed TDIs for 389 primate species, considering activity patterns, locomotion types, body mass, densities, habitat utilization, and sleeping behaviors during diurnal and nocturnal surveys. Through the integration of TDIs with primates’ distribution and climatic variables (average annual temperature, precipitation, and wind speed), we established a Global TDI Suitability Score aimed at pinpointing species and regions most compatible with TIR drone-based monitoring. Atelidae, Cercopithecidae, and Indridae showed the highest TDI values, suggesting their suitability for TIR-drone surveys. We identified optimal regions in Africa, Asia and Latin America for primate monitoring with TIR drones, driven by favorable ecological conditions, habitat types, and high TDI species diversity. However, local ecological factors and regulatory frameworks also influence drone survey feasibility, necessitating careful consideration prior to implementation. Overall, our study provides a valuable framework for prioritizing primate species and regions for TIR drone-based monitoring, facilitating targeted conservation efforts and advancing primate monitoring research.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology Q Science > QL Zoology
Divisions:	Biological and Environmental Sciences (from Sep 19)
Publisher:	Nature Research
SWORD Depositor:	A Symplectic
Date Deposited:	18 Nov 2024 10:31
Last Modified:	18 Nov 2024 10:31
DOI or ID number:	10.1038/s41598-024-77502-7
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/24800

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