Work

Wildlife Occupancy Estimation in Forests Using Occupancy Models

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Reliable spatial data on wildlife occurrence are essential for ecological monitoring and environmental assessment, yet detection uncertainty often limits their interpretability. This study presents a camera-trap-based detection-non-detection dataset collected in a forested landscape, and provides grid-level occupancy estimates for water deer (Hydropotes inermis) and raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) using an occupancy model framework. Repeated survey data were organized into detection histories, occupancy probability, and detection probability were estimated by incorporating observation variables and environmental variables. Both species exhibited higher occupancy probabilities in forest-dominated and less disturbed areas within the study extent. These results demonstrate the potential of occupancy models to quantitatively evaluate habitat suitability by accounting for detection probability, even with limited survey data, and provide baseline information for future environmental impact assessments and wildlife management.

Source: GEO DATA

DOI: 10.22761/gd.2025.0098

Authors: Jihoon Lee, Giyeong Jeong, Sunyong Sung, Yongwon Mo

Institutions: Yeungnam University, Korea National University of Cultural Heritage

Language: English

Topic: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Education, India, Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute