Camera trapping of medium and large-sized mammals in western black sea deciduous forests in Turkey

Abstract

Camera trapping is one of the most effective methods for mammal inventories in most habitats and conditions. This study is based on the mammal records of a camera trap study in Northwest Anatolia. The study area was about 3500 km2, and the study was carried out between May 2014 and May 2015. A total of 62 sites were surveyed, resulting in 3653 records of 16 mammal species (Sciurus anomalus, Erinaceus concolor, Felis silvestris, Canis lupus, Canis aureus, Vulpes vulpes, Ursus arctos, Meles meles, Martes foina, Martes martes, Mustela nivalis, Lutra lutra, Sus scrofa, Capreolus capreolus, Lepus europaeus, Cervus elaphus) in 11,868 camera trapping days. The highest detection rate among the species was that of Sus scrofa (36.57%), followed by Martes spp. (20.35%) and Canis aureus (19.44%). Overall trap success for all species detected was 30.78% (recorded number/100 camera trapping days). It was detected that mammal species diversity was higher in natural forested lands than in human-affected areas. Species diversity in the study area was recorded to be significantly higher than the results of other studies from different parts of Turkey. We present here a detailed inventory, distribution data, and contemporary diversity data for the study area, and comparative data for further studies.