The recommended protocol for comparable estimates of relative abundance of ungulates and prey species and their association with habitat types. In summer, animals use most of the area without snow restrictions, and numbers reach their annual peak.

Spatial design

The design is systematic-random: people influence the choice of location as little as possible.

1. Overlay the pan-European EEA 10 × 10 km grid on the study area.
2. Divide each square into 2.5 × 2.5 km squares and mark the centre (centroid) of each.
3. Select a sample of centroids equal to the number of cameras.
4. Place each camera as close to its centroid as possible, within a 100 m buffer.
5. If a centroid is completely unsuitable, move the camera to the centroid of another square, with the same 100 m buffer.

Timing

Installation

1. Choose a tree no more than 100 m from the centroid.
2. Make sure vegetation does not block the view for at least 8 m. Some vegetation may be removed.
3. Fix the metal security box at a height of 0.5 m, with the camera facing north (± 15°).
4. Aim the view along the ground surface, parallel to the slope. The horizon line should be roughly in the middle of the frame. Use small twigs under the box if needed.
5. Test the sensor and the placement (TEST IMAGE and TEST WALK on Cuddeback, MOTION TEST on Browning).
6. Check the date and time against the current local time.
7. Arm the camera (ARM on Cuddeback, the home screen with the countdown on Browning).
8. Stand in front of the camera and photograph a phone with a digital clock or a sheet with the date and time clearly written.
9. Take distance reference frames: a person holding a sheet marked "4 m", "8 m" and "12 m" stands at the matching distance from the camera.
10. Lock the camera and the box to the tree with a lock and chain.
11. Fill in the SMART protocol: date, time, GPS coordinates, camera ID (e.g. 0101) and SD card number (the same, 0101).

Camera settings: Camera settings under the FZS protocol.