Our methods in ecology occupy the interface between the natural world and our understanding of it. With rapid technological advances in hardware and computing, assessment of novel field survey and monitoring methods is more crucial than ever so that we can use them to gather better more and better data about the natural world. With detailed research we can assess the quality of the data we get from technological approaches and assess the optimal way to use them.
Outputs
Blackwell, B.J., & White, P. J. C. (2025). Rumble in the Jungle: Convolutional Neural Networks demonstrate accurate footfall identification of terrestrial mammals. Ecological Solutions & Evidence https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.70072
Pringle, S., Dallimer, M, Goodard, M.A., Le Goff, L.K., Hart, E., …White, P. J. C. …., & Davies, Z.G. (2025). Opportunities and challenges for monitoring terrestrial biodiversity in the robotics age. Nature Ecology & Evolution https://napier-repository.worktribe.com/output/4168243 [note larger author list than shown]
Mitchell, L., Ingledew, R., Findlay, M.A. & White, P. J. C. (2025). Relative performance and practicality of night vision aids and naked eye counts for emerging bats. CIEEM In Practice https://napier-repository.worktribe.com/output/4168243
White, P. J. C., Emery, L., Abrahams, C., Findlay, M.A., Cook, J., Macleod, K., Deacon, L., Reason, L., Stanhope, K, Wale, M., Hart, E. & Diele, K. (2025). ‘Bots on the ground vs boots on the ground: the future of robots in terrestrial ecological surveying. CIEEM In Practice http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/4166977
Ebel, K. & White, P. J. C. (2024). Scent lures and baits at camera traps improve time to first detection and detection probability of two typically elusive species of weasel. Mammal Research https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-024-00771-0
Zabel, F. , Findlay, M.A. & White, P. J. C., (2023). Assessment of the accuracy of counting large ungulate species (red deer Cervus elaphus) with UAV‐mounted thermal infrared cameras during night flights. Wildlife Biology https://doi.org/10.1002/wlb3.01071
Findlay, M. A., Briers, R. A., Ingledew, R. P. & White, P. J. C. (2023). An evidence-based approach to identifying resting sites of Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) from camera-trap and field-sign data. Wildlife Biology https://doi.org/10.1002/wlb3.01036
Findlay, M.A., Briers, R. A. & White, P. J. C. (2020). Component processes of detection probability in camera-trap studies: understanding the occurrence of false-negatives. Mammal Research https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-020-00478-y
Findlay, M.A., Briers, R.A., Diamond, N. & White, P. J. C. (2017). Developing an empirical approach to optimal camera-trap deployment at mammal resting sites: evidence from a longitudinal study of an otter Lutra lutra holt. European Journal of Wildlife Research https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-017-1143-0
Names in bold are current or former staff or students working in the lab
Pat White | Method(Ec)ology 