EDP Foz-Tua: Large Mammals (camera-trapping): Complementary Studies [2010]

Study Extent

The data were collected within a 5-km buffer around the Tua lower valley (Northeast Portugal), up to 35 km from the mouth, in the municipalities of Carrazeda de Ansiães, Alijó, Murça, Vila Flor and Mirandela.

Sampling

Sampling was designed to cover the main habitat types for large mammals in and around the lower Tua valley affected by the Foz-Tua dam (including the reservoir area). Two digital cameras with motion sensor and infrared iluminator were set in each 2x2 km UTM square over a period of three days and three nights. Baits (a mixture of meat and sardine oil) were set 2-4 m from the cameras to attract potential mammals. The machines were programmed to shoot a video of 15 seconds and shoot two pictures with a delay of 1 minute after the activation. All cameras were inspected after each 3-day period of exposition. Species identification and assessment of age and sex (when possible) were made by visual observation of the pictures taken.

Quality Control

All identifications were performed by qualified technicians

Method steps

1. To be completed

The taxonomic coverage of this dataset spans 1 phylum, 1 class, 1 order, 3 families, 4 genera and 4 species.

1. Animalia
   rank: kingdom
2. Chordata
   rank: phylum
3. Mammalia
   rank: class
4. Carnivora
   rank: order
5. Mustelidae
   rank: family
6. Viverridae
7. Canidae

The data were collected within a 5-km buffer around the Tua lower valley (Northeast Portugal), up to 35 km from the mouth, in the municipalities of Carrazeda de Ansiães, Alijó, Murça, Vila Flor and Mirandela.