Technological advancements : a global review of the use of camera technology in wildlife research

Abstract

Cameras have become widely used tools in wildlife research, providing new insights into the behavior, population dynamics, and habitat preference of species across a wide range of taxa. In this study, we conducted a systematic literature review to explore the use camera technology, both still and video, in wildlife research over time. We analyzed 2,472 peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2023 from around the world that incorporated cameras into wildlife studies. Our review reveals a sharp increase in the number of English-language publications using cameras after 2018, which may be attributed in part to the increasing availability of drones and to the development of machine-learning algorithms for processing large datasets. Mammals (75%) and birds (19%) were the most studied organisms, and camera traps were the most used camera device type. Research topics were equally divided between behavioral studies, population dynamics, and species presence/absence monitoring. Despite the global spread of studies using camera technologies, geographic gaps remain, particularly in central Asia, northern Africa, and Greenland. Our findings highlight the increasing role of camera technology in studying wildlife. However, despite these technological advancements, we suggest that it is essential not to lose the direct connection with nature and the species being studied. We emphasize that time in the field remains important for ecologists to gain a deeper understanding of ecological processes and to foster a meaningful connection to the research.