Camera Trap Detection Rate

AUS-TMS-LVG-CTR General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 3.5 to 4 Detections per 100 trap-nights
Optimal Range: 3.5 to 4
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: OptimalRange

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context. The scoring engine uses 9 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 8 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

Therefore, the proposed Reference Value for Camera Trap Detection Rate in a best-practice livestock grazing system in Australia's tropical monsoonal savannas is 3.5 – 4.0 Detections per 100 trap-nights.

Metric Definition:

Camera Trap Detection Rate (CTR) expressed as Detections per 100 trap-nights for native ground-dwelling mammal assemblage.

Benchmark Definition:

The total detection rate for the native ground-dwelling mammal assemblage in a tropical savanna under best-practice, sustainable livestock grazing.

Justification:

It is a synthesized value derived by establishing a reference baseline from protected areas (Einoder et al. 2018; mean weekly mammal detectability of 0.36 converted to ~5.1 detections/100 trap-nights) and applying a -30% adjustment to account for the documented impacts of moderate grazing on faunal assemblages in a long-term trial (Kutt et al. 2012).

Sources (2)

Preview of Occupancy and detectability modelling of vertebrates in northern Australia using multiple sampling methods
Occupancy and detectability modelling of vertebrates in northern Australia using multiple sampling methods Journal

Occupancy and detectability modelling of vertebrates in northern Australia using multiple sampling methods

View Source
Preview of Spatial and temporal effects of grazing management and'rainfall on ...
Spatial and temporal effects of grazing management and'rainfall on ... Journal

Vegetation change 10 years after cattle removal in a savanna landscape - ResearchGate

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Control fire and ferals in Australia's tropical savannas to bring the small mammals back
Control fire and ferals in Australia's tropical savannas to bring the small mammals back
Contextual Support Journal

Control fire and ferals in Australia's tropical savannas to bring the small mammals back

View Source
Preview of The Wambiana grazing trial | FutureBeef, accessed July 19, 2025,
The Wambiana grazing trial | FutureBeef, accessed July 19, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

FutureBeef. (2011). The Wambiana grazing trial: Key learnings for managing for rainfall variability and land condition in northern grazing lands. Meat & Livestock Australia.

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 22 Mar 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: A rate of < 1.0 detections/100 trap-nights indicates a degraded state where habitat structure for native fauna is severely compromised. Upper Boundary Consideration: A rate > 4.0 is not necessarily better and may indicate a detrimental state of compositional imbalance if driven by hyper-abundant generalist or invasive species rather than high native species richness. Optimal Range: The benchmark of 3.5 – 4.0 represents the optimal range when coupled with high species richness.