Snap happy: camera traps are an effective sampling tool compared with alternative methods

Wearn and Glover-Kapfer evaluated camera traps against other terrestrial mammal survey methods, such as live trapping, sign surveys, and transects, assessing cost-effectiveness, species coverage, and data quality. They found that camera traps generally provide broad, non-invasive, continuous sampling that compares favorably with alternatives, particularly for medium and large mammals and elusive carnivores. The review weighed strengths and limitations, including biases toward certain body sizes and behaviors, and offered practical guidance on when cameras are the best choice. By quantifying camera trapping's advantages and constraints relative to competing techniques, it gave researchers an evidence base for method selection. It is a frequently cited reference supporting the adoption of camera traps in biodiversity monitoring programs.