Graphing and Analysis of Camera Trap Data

FIRST; FOR THE PREVIOUS DISCUSSION I HAD CHOSEN THE ANIMAL....

Common Name:

Coyote

Scientific Name:

Canis latrans

Image Credit: "Coyote standing in field" by California Department of Fish and Wildlife is licensed under cc 2

The coyote (Canis latrans) is native to Los Angeles County and to California overall. These highly intelligent and adaptable animals are naturally found in diverse environments ranging from rural to urban areas. Coyotes have long been a part of the local ecosystem and continue to play an important ecological role in controlling populations of rodents and other small animals. Their presence in neighborhoods is normal.

Credible Source:

https://wildlife.ca.gov/HWC/CoyotesLinks to an external site.

NOW, HERE IS THE HOMEWORK:

Over

view & Background

For this assignment, we will be focusing on graphing the data the class collected from the camera traps. For this assignment, you will again focus on the animal species you selected for the Urban Wildlife Species Selection Discussion and the Urban Wildlife Species Research.

Class Data

First, access class data in this Google Sheet.Links to an external site. It will prompt you to make a copy of the class Google sheet into your own Google Drive file.

If you have any issues accessing the data in the Google Sheet link, here is the class data as an Excel file Download class data as an Excel file, which you can still open and work with in Google SheetsLinks to an external site..

Finding Your Species Data

After you have made a copy of the spreadsheet containing the data, you will need to filter the observations so that you are only looking at the observations for your species.

1. Click on "Data"
2. Click on "Create a Filter"
3. Find the column for your species and click on the small green filter icon in the bottom right corner of the cell.

In the filter box, uncheck the "0" value (but leave all other values checked) and click "Ok".

(Note: If you do not see "0" and "1", then you may need to click "Filter by values.")

Now you should see only the rows containing observations of your species

IMPORTANT: Before you proceed any further, make a copy of your data so you can go back to the original dataset (you will need these data AGAIN!).

To do so, highlight and copy (Copy from the Edit menu or use keyboard shortcuts: Control+C or Command+C) all of the rows containing observations of your species, create a new tab, and paste (Paste from the Edit menu or use keyboard shortcuts: Control+V or Command+V) the rows into the new tab.

If you have multiple observations of your species that were collected within 2 minutes of each other, we will assume that it is the same animal. As such, you should only include the first observation in your final analysis. I suggest you mark any observations that are not the first of a sequence by making the text gray for those lines so that you remember not to include them in your tally.

Directions for Data Analyses

Follow the directions below and include the following tables, graphs, and answers to the questions in a single document.

1. Count the number of observations in each time period (if you have a lot, you may want to filter again by time period).
2. Create the following data table on your sheet and then add your data:

Data Table

Time Period	Dawn	Day	Dusk	Night	Deep Night
Number of Observations

Creating the Time Period Graph

1. Create a column graph that compares the number of observations of your species in the different time periods. Be sure to properly label the x- and y-axes.
2. For more information on graphing and creating graphs review the Graphing Scientific Data and Community Health Fact Sheet - Text and Graph Only pages.

Now we will do the same analysis for the locations:

1. Count the number of observations in each location (if you have a lot, you may want to filter again by location).
2. Create the following data table on your sheet and then add your data:

Location Table
Location	ALTA 1	ALTA 2	ALTA 3	HLP 1	MON 1	PAS 1	DEB 1	ARR 1
Number of Observations

Creating the Location Graph

1. Create a column graph that compares the number of observations of your species at the different locations. Be sure to properly label the x- and y-axes.
2. For more information on graphing and creating graphs review the Graphing Scientific Data and Community Health Fact Sheet - Text and Graph Only pages.

Answer the Following Questions:

1. What was your first hypothesis from Urban Wildlife Project Individual Species Research -- when do you think your species will be most likely to be found in the camera trap data: dawn, day, dusk, night, or deep night?
2. Was your species found at all locations? Which location had the most observations?
3. Based on the data presented in your graph was your hypothesis supported, refuted, or inconclusive? In 2-3 sentences explain why based on this data only.
4. Create a figure caption for each of your graphs. This should include a descriptive title for your graph and a 2-3 sentence description of the graph and what it is showing.

Grading

To see how this assignment will be graded, scroll down to view the grading rubric.

Helpful Resources

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Rubric

Camera Trap Graph and Analysis

Camera Trap Graph and Analysis

Criteria	Ratings	Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGraph 1	4 to >3.0 ptsExcellentColumn graph comparing # of observations in time periods is created with all data graph includes the properly labeled x- and y-axes3 to >2.0 ptsGoodGraph is missing one required elements (properly formatted and labeled x any axis) 2 to >0.0 ptsIncompleteGraph is missing required elements (properly formatted and labeled x any axis), and/or missing data0 ptsNot Attempted	4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGraph 2	4 to >3.0 ptsExcellentColumn graph comparing # of observations at the different locations is created with all data graph includes the properly labeled x- and y-axes3 to >2.0 ptsGoodGraph is missing one required elements (properly formatted and labeled x any axis) 2 to >0.0 ptsIncompleteGraph is missing required elements (properly formatted and labeled x any axis), and/or missing data0 ptsNot Attempted	4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeHypothesis and Graph Analysis	4 to >3.0 ptsExcellentClear and detailed explanation of graphs. Provides a clear explanation for difference or similarities in numbers of observations by time period and uses the graph to support or refute the hypothesis clearly.3 to >2.0 ptsGoodProvides an explanation of graphs and make some connection to the hypothesis. 2 to >0.0 ptsNeeds improvementDescription of graphs missing details and/or hypothesis is not stated/ analyzed.0 ptsNot Attempted	4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFigure Description	3 to >2.0 ptsCompleteFigure description is clear and concise2 to >0.0 ptsIncompleteFigure description is missing important details or includes information not shown in the graph 0 ptsNot AttemptedNo figure description included	3 pts

Total Points: 15