Richard J Camp
Specialty: Quantitative ecology; abundance and demographic modeling; avian ecology and conservation
Research Interests: Status and trend estimation; Bayesian inference; hierarchical modeling; spatial and temporal modeling; population dynamics modeling
Personal Interests: Running, bicycling, beer brewing and family
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2020 Statistics, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland
M.S. 1995 Wildlife Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
B.S. 1991 Wildlife Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Science and Products
Pacific Island Bird Survey Design and Data Analysis
Abundance data are collected for bird populations throughout the Pacific Islands by numerous federal, state, university, and non-profit organizations. In order to ensure data are standardized and available to researchers throughout the region, interagency bird databases have been created and continue to be used. These databases contain more than a million compiled, proofed, and standardized...
Advancing Wildlife Monitoring to Improve Management of Endangered Hawaiian Birds in a Changing Climate
Mosquito-borne disease is the biggest threat to Hawai‘i’s remaining native forest birds, of which more than half are threatened or endangered. Currently, disease-carrying mosquitoes are unable to move into colder high-elevation forests, but as the islands warm due to climate change, mosquitoes are steadily moving into the last native bird strongholds. Mosquito suppression efforts are planned for t
Global Climate Change Impacts on Plants of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Climate change is expected to alter the seasonal and annual patterns of rainfall and temperature in the Hawaiian Islands. Warming temperatures and altered precipitation patterns both impact ecological systems, but managing these impacts is difficult without detailed information on the magnitude and timing of these climate-related changes.
Assessing the Potential Effects of Climate Change on Vegetation in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Climate change in Hawaiʻi is expected to result in increasing temperatures and varying precipitation through the twenty-first century. Already, high elevation areas have experienced rapidly increasing temperatures and there has been an increase in the frequency of drought across the Islands. These climatic changes could have significant impacts on Hawaiʻi’s plants and animals. Changes in temperatu
Island of Hawaii bird, mosquito, and avian malaria infection data 2001-2004
This data publication contains data files collected as part of a field, laboratory, and modeling effort aimed at uncovering ecological drivers of avian malaria transmission and impacts on Hawaiian honeycreepers across an elevational gradient on the eastern flank of Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes on Hawaii Island. From 2001-2004, mosquito and bird data were collected at nine sites ranging 25 to 1,
Haleakala National Park bird survey data 1993-2008
Eight-minute point-transect distance bird surveys were collected in and around Haleakala National Park from 1993-2008. This dataset contains the location, species, and distance to detected birds, as well as identifying initials to distinguish among observers.
Hawaii Island Kohala Mountain complex forest bird survey, 2017
This data release contains the point-transect distance sampling records of forest bird survey collected in the Kohala Mountain complex in 2017, including survey point IDs, distance to detected birds, sampling conditions, ohia phenology, habitat classifications and background noise levels. This data release consists of one tabular dataset.
Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii Akepa point-transect survey, 2002
This dataset contains the point-transect distance sampling records of Hawaii Akepa collected at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge in 2002, including survey point locations, distance to detected birds, number of detected birds, elevation, and alliance-level habitat classification. This data release consists of two tabular datasets, one that contains distances and the other that contains locat
Alamagan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Nightingale Reed-warbler point transect survey data, 2010
Point transect distance sampling data were collected during the 2010 surveys of Alamagan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Data were collected at points along transects where trained observers recorded the detection type (heard, seen, or heard then seen) and horizontal distance (exact distance in m) from the station center point to individual birds detected during an 8-min coun
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Hawaiian hoary bat acoustic activity and insect prey data 2013-2015
We examined habitat use and foraging activity of the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus), as well as nocturnal aerial insect abundance at Kaloko-Hon kohau National Historical Park located in the coastal region of Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i Island. The study area covers approximately 486 ha of marine waters and terrestrial coastal plains. Hawaiian hoary bat echolocation vocalization
Lower Puna, Hawaii Island, bird and habitat surveys of 2003 and 2016
The newly identified rapid ohii death (ROD; Metrosideros polymorpha) originated in the lower Puna district and its distribution has spread across Hawaii Island. As ROD expands it is expected that the loss of the dominant tree species will adversely affect bird populations. This project is a first attempt to describe the relationship between the impacts of ROD on the Hawaiian avifauna, especially t
Hakalau Bioacoustic Surveys and Models 2015
In this study, we create and evaluate a protocol to estimate the density, which can be used to estimate the abundance of terrestrial sound-producing animals from single automatic sound recorders. The protocol uses cue rates from the target species as well as sampling conditions and an estimate of the distance of the individual to the recorder based on the power of the sound. We applied our protoco
HAVO Montane Ohia Diameter and Cavity Data 2017
We quantified the availability of breeding habitat of the endangered Hawaii Akepa (Loxops coccineus). The species is thought to nest excusively in natural cavities within mature ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha) trees but birds commonly occur in short stature trees that presumably do not have any natural cavities because of their polyploidal (many-branched) structure. To test this hypothesis we searc
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Landbird Surveys 2015-2016
Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO) was surveyed for landbirds and landbird habitat from February through April 2015 and February through April 2016. This information provides the second datum in the time-series of Pacific Island Network (PACN) monitoring for long-term trends in landbird distribution, density, and abundance. Initial PACN surveys were conducted in 2010 and are repeated every fiv
Filter Total Items: 70
Environmental and geographical factors influence the occurrence and abundance of the southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, in Hawai‘i
Hawaiian honeycreepers, a group of endemic Hawaiian forest birds, are being threatened by avian malaria, a non-native disease that is driving honeycreepers populations to extinction. Avian malaria is caused by the parasite Plasmodium relictum, which is transmitted by the invasive mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. Environmental and geographical factors play an important role in shaping mosquito-born
Authors
Oswaldo Villena, Katherine Maria McClure, Richard J. Camp, Dennis Lapointe, Carter T. Atkinson, Helen Sofaer, Lucas Fortini
A global ecological signal of extinction risk in marine ray-finned fishes (class Actinopterygii)
Many marine fish species are experiencing population declines, but their extinction risk profiles are largely understudied in comparison to their terrestrial vertebrate counterparts. Selective extinction of marine fish species may result in rapid alteration of the structure and function of ocean ecosystems. In this study, we compiled an ecological trait dataset for 8,185 species of marine ray-finn
Authors
Trevor M. Bak, Richard J. Camp, Noel A. Heim, Douglas J. McCauley, Jonathan L. Payne, Matthew L Knope
Evaluation of replicate sampling using hierarchical spatial modeling of population surveys accounting for imperfect detectability
Effective species management and conservation benefit from knowledge of species distribution and status. Surveys to obtain that information often involve replicate sampling, which increases survey effort and costs. We simultaneously modeled species distribution, abundance and spatial correlation, and compared the uncertainty in replicate abundance estimates of the endangered palila (Loxioides bail
Authors
Richard J. Camp, Chauncey K. Asing, Paul C. Banko, Lainie Berry, Kevin W. Brinck, Chris Farmer, Ayesha Genz
Forest bird populations at the Pu‘u Wa‘a Wa‘a Forest Bird Sanctuary and Pu‘u Wa‘a Wa‘a Forest Reserve, Hawai‘i
Endemic Hawaiian forest birds have exhibited dramatic population declines since human colonization of Hawai‘i. The Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Forest Bird Sanctuary and adjacent Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Forest Reserve on Hawai‘i Island were established in 2002 to conserve endemic forest birds and their habitats. Surveys have been conducted in this area to monitor forest bird populations and their response to management ac
Authors
Steve Kendall, Richard J. Camp, Alex X Wang, Lainie Berry, Lindsey Nietmann
Camera trap distance sampling survey design, Andersen Airforce Base, Guam
Reliable population estimates of animal density is one of the most elementary needs for the control and management of wildlife, particularly for introduced ungulates on oceanic islands. On Guam, Philippine deer (Rusa marianna) and wild pigs (Sus scrofa; wild boar and descendants of domestic pigs) cause agricultural and ecological damage and are hunted for recreational, nutritional, and cultural us
Authors
Richard J. Camp, Trevor M. Bak
Accounting for spatial habitat and management boundaries when estimating forest bird population distribution and density: Inferences from a soap film smoother
Birds are often obligate to specific habitats which can result in study areas with complex boundaries due to sudden changes in vegetation or other features. This can result in study areas with concave arcs or that include holes of unsuitable habitat such as lakes or agricultural fields. Spatial models used to produce species’ distribution and density estimates need to respect such boundaries to ma
Authors
Richard J. Camp, David L Miller, Steve T. Buckland, Steve J. Kendall
Density surface and excursion sets modeling as an approach to estimating population densities
Effective species management and conservation require knowledge of species distribution and status. We used point-transect distance sampling surveys of the endangered palila (Loxioides bailleui), a honeycreeper currently found only on the Island of Hawai'i, USA, to generate robust estimates of total abundance and simultaneously model the distribution, abundance, and spatial correlation of the spec
Authors
Richard J. Camp, Chauncey K. Asing, Paul C. Banko, Lainie Berry, Kevin W. Brinck, Chris Farmer, Ayesha Genz
Status of landbirds in the National Park of American Samoa
The National Park of American Samoa (NPSA) was surveyed in 2011 and 2018 using point-transect distance sampling to estimate trends in landbird distribution, composition, population density, and abundance. Surveys were conducted within the Ta‘ū Unit and Tutuila Unit, each on separate islands of American Samoa. We detected a total of 14 species during surveys and there were sufficient detections of
Authors
Seth Judge, Richard J. Camp, Visa Vaivai, Patrick J. Hart
Status of forest birds on Tinian Island, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, with an emphasis on the Tinian monarch (Monarcha takatsukasae) (Passeriformes; Monarchidae)
Landbird populations on Tinian Island have been periodically surveyed since 1982 to evaluate the status of non-native and native landbirds. We report the results of surveys in 2013 and the observed changes during 31 years in species population trends based on surveys since 1982. A total of 11 native and 3 non-native species were detected during the 2013 survey. Population sizes were estimated usin
Authors
Rick L Spalding, Richard J. Camp, Paul C. Banko, Nathan C Johnson, Angela D Anders
2021 Tinian Island forest bird abundance estimates
The U.S. Navy, through Micronesian Environmental Services, surveyed landbirds in the Military Lease Area on Tinian Island in May and June 2021 using point-transect distance sampling methods. There were 2,074 individuals of 14 species detected during 123 point counts. Six species were detected during >50% of the counts and were observed at relatively high abundances, while eight species occurred at
Authors
Richard J. Camp, Trevor Bak, Ayesha Genz
Forest bird populations at the Big Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Hawai‘i
Endemic Hawaiian forest birds have experienced dramatic population declines. The Big Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex (BINWRC) was created for conservation of endangered Hawaiian forest birds and their habitats. Surveys have been conducted at two units of BINWRC to monitor forest bird populations and their response to management actions. We analyzed survey data from 1987 to 2019 at the Haka
Authors
Steven J. Kendall, Rachel A. Rounds, Richard J. Camp, Ayesha Genz
2019-2021 Palila abundance estimates and trend
The palila (Loxioides bailleui) population on Mauna Kea Volcano, Hawai‘i Island, was estimated from annual surveys in 2019−2021, and a trend analysis was performed on survey data from 1998−2021. The 2019 population was estimated at 1,030−1,899 birds (point estimate: 1,432), the 2020 population was estimated at 964−1,700 birds (point estimate: 1,312), and the 2021 population was estimated at 452−94
Authors
Ayesha Genz, Kevin W. Brinck, Chauncey K. Asing, Lainie Berry, Richard J. Camp, Paul C. Banko
Science and Products
- Science
Pacific Island Bird Survey Design and Data Analysis
Abundance data are collected for bird populations throughout the Pacific Islands by numerous federal, state, university, and non-profit organizations. In order to ensure data are standardized and available to researchers throughout the region, interagency bird databases have been created and continue to be used. These databases contain more than a million compiled, proofed, and standardized...Advancing Wildlife Monitoring to Improve Management of Endangered Hawaiian Birds in a Changing Climate
Mosquito-borne disease is the biggest threat to Hawai‘i’s remaining native forest birds, of which more than half are threatened or endangered. Currently, disease-carrying mosquitoes are unable to move into colder high-elevation forests, but as the islands warm due to climate change, mosquitoes are steadily moving into the last native bird strongholds. Mosquito suppression efforts are planned for tGlobal Climate Change Impacts on Plants of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Climate change is expected to alter the seasonal and annual patterns of rainfall and temperature in the Hawaiian Islands. Warming temperatures and altered precipitation patterns both impact ecological systems, but managing these impacts is difficult without detailed information on the magnitude and timing of these climate-related changes.Assessing the Potential Effects of Climate Change on Vegetation in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Climate change in Hawaiʻi is expected to result in increasing temperatures and varying precipitation through the twenty-first century. Already, high elevation areas have experienced rapidly increasing temperatures and there has been an increase in the frequency of drought across the Islands. These climatic changes could have significant impacts on Hawaiʻi’s plants and animals. Changes in temperatu - Data
Island of Hawaii bird, mosquito, and avian malaria infection data 2001-2004
This data publication contains data files collected as part of a field, laboratory, and modeling effort aimed at uncovering ecological drivers of avian malaria transmission and impacts on Hawaiian honeycreepers across an elevational gradient on the eastern flank of Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes on Hawaii Island. From 2001-2004, mosquito and bird data were collected at nine sites ranging 25 to 1,Haleakala National Park bird survey data 1993-2008
Eight-minute point-transect distance bird surveys were collected in and around Haleakala National Park from 1993-2008. This dataset contains the location, species, and distance to detected birds, as well as identifying initials to distinguish among observers.Hawaii Island Kohala Mountain complex forest bird survey, 2017
This data release contains the point-transect distance sampling records of forest bird survey collected in the Kohala Mountain complex in 2017, including survey point IDs, distance to detected birds, sampling conditions, ohia phenology, habitat classifications and background noise levels. This data release consists of one tabular dataset.Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii Akepa point-transect survey, 2002
This dataset contains the point-transect distance sampling records of Hawaii Akepa collected at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge in 2002, including survey point locations, distance to detected birds, number of detected birds, elevation, and alliance-level habitat classification. This data release consists of two tabular datasets, one that contains distances and the other that contains locatAlamagan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Nightingale Reed-warbler point transect survey data, 2010
Point transect distance sampling data were collected during the 2010 surveys of Alamagan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Data were collected at points along transects where trained observers recorded the detection type (heard, seen, or heard then seen) and horizontal distance (exact distance in m) from the station center point to individual birds detected during an 8-min counKaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Hawaiian hoary bat acoustic activity and insect prey data 2013-2015
We examined habitat use and foraging activity of the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus), as well as nocturnal aerial insect abundance at Kaloko-Hon kohau National Historical Park located in the coastal region of Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i Island. The study area covers approximately 486 ha of marine waters and terrestrial coastal plains. Hawaiian hoary bat echolocation vocalizationLower Puna, Hawaii Island, bird and habitat surveys of 2003 and 2016
The newly identified rapid ohii death (ROD; Metrosideros polymorpha) originated in the lower Puna district and its distribution has spread across Hawaii Island. As ROD expands it is expected that the loss of the dominant tree species will adversely affect bird populations. This project is a first attempt to describe the relationship between the impacts of ROD on the Hawaiian avifauna, especially tHakalau Bioacoustic Surveys and Models 2015
In this study, we create and evaluate a protocol to estimate the density, which can be used to estimate the abundance of terrestrial sound-producing animals from single automatic sound recorders. The protocol uses cue rates from the target species as well as sampling conditions and an estimate of the distance of the individual to the recorder based on the power of the sound. We applied our protocoHAVO Montane Ohia Diameter and Cavity Data 2017
We quantified the availability of breeding habitat of the endangered Hawaii Akepa (Loxops coccineus). The species is thought to nest excusively in natural cavities within mature ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha) trees but birds commonly occur in short stature trees that presumably do not have any natural cavities because of their polyploidal (many-branched) structure. To test this hypothesis we searcHawaii Volcanoes National Park Landbird Surveys 2015-2016
Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO) was surveyed for landbirds and landbird habitat from February through April 2015 and February through April 2016. This information provides the second datum in the time-series of Pacific Island Network (PACN) monitoring for long-term trends in landbird distribution, density, and abundance. Initial PACN surveys were conducted in 2010 and are repeated every fiv - Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 70
Environmental and geographical factors influence the occurrence and abundance of the southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, in Hawai‘i
Hawaiian honeycreepers, a group of endemic Hawaiian forest birds, are being threatened by avian malaria, a non-native disease that is driving honeycreepers populations to extinction. Avian malaria is caused by the parasite Plasmodium relictum, which is transmitted by the invasive mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. Environmental and geographical factors play an important role in shaping mosquito-bornAuthorsOswaldo Villena, Katherine Maria McClure, Richard J. Camp, Dennis Lapointe, Carter T. Atkinson, Helen Sofaer, Lucas FortiniA global ecological signal of extinction risk in marine ray-finned fishes (class Actinopterygii)
Many marine fish species are experiencing population declines, but their extinction risk profiles are largely understudied in comparison to their terrestrial vertebrate counterparts. Selective extinction of marine fish species may result in rapid alteration of the structure and function of ocean ecosystems. In this study, we compiled an ecological trait dataset for 8,185 species of marine ray-finnAuthorsTrevor M. Bak, Richard J. Camp, Noel A. Heim, Douglas J. McCauley, Jonathan L. Payne, Matthew L KnopeEvaluation of replicate sampling using hierarchical spatial modeling of population surveys accounting for imperfect detectability
Effective species management and conservation benefit from knowledge of species distribution and status. Surveys to obtain that information often involve replicate sampling, which increases survey effort and costs. We simultaneously modeled species distribution, abundance and spatial correlation, and compared the uncertainty in replicate abundance estimates of the endangered palila (Loxioides bailAuthorsRichard J. Camp, Chauncey K. Asing, Paul C. Banko, Lainie Berry, Kevin W. Brinck, Chris Farmer, Ayesha GenzForest bird populations at the Pu‘u Wa‘a Wa‘a Forest Bird Sanctuary and Pu‘u Wa‘a Wa‘a Forest Reserve, Hawai‘i
Endemic Hawaiian forest birds have exhibited dramatic population declines since human colonization of Hawai‘i. The Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Forest Bird Sanctuary and adjacent Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Forest Reserve on Hawai‘i Island were established in 2002 to conserve endemic forest birds and their habitats. Surveys have been conducted in this area to monitor forest bird populations and their response to management acAuthorsSteve Kendall, Richard J. Camp, Alex X Wang, Lainie Berry, Lindsey NietmannCamera trap distance sampling survey design, Andersen Airforce Base, Guam
Reliable population estimates of animal density is one of the most elementary needs for the control and management of wildlife, particularly for introduced ungulates on oceanic islands. On Guam, Philippine deer (Rusa marianna) and wild pigs (Sus scrofa; wild boar and descendants of domestic pigs) cause agricultural and ecological damage and are hunted for recreational, nutritional, and cultural usAuthorsRichard J. Camp, Trevor M. BakAccounting for spatial habitat and management boundaries when estimating forest bird population distribution and density: Inferences from a soap film smoother
Birds are often obligate to specific habitats which can result in study areas with complex boundaries due to sudden changes in vegetation or other features. This can result in study areas with concave arcs or that include holes of unsuitable habitat such as lakes or agricultural fields. Spatial models used to produce species’ distribution and density estimates need to respect such boundaries to maAuthorsRichard J. Camp, David L Miller, Steve T. Buckland, Steve J. KendallDensity surface and excursion sets modeling as an approach to estimating population densities
Effective species management and conservation require knowledge of species distribution and status. We used point-transect distance sampling surveys of the endangered palila (Loxioides bailleui), a honeycreeper currently found only on the Island of Hawai'i, USA, to generate robust estimates of total abundance and simultaneously model the distribution, abundance, and spatial correlation of the specAuthorsRichard J. Camp, Chauncey K. Asing, Paul C. Banko, Lainie Berry, Kevin W. Brinck, Chris Farmer, Ayesha GenzStatus of landbirds in the National Park of American Samoa
The National Park of American Samoa (NPSA) was surveyed in 2011 and 2018 using point-transect distance sampling to estimate trends in landbird distribution, composition, population density, and abundance. Surveys were conducted within the Ta‘ū Unit and Tutuila Unit, each on separate islands of American Samoa. We detected a total of 14 species during surveys and there were sufficient detections ofAuthorsSeth Judge, Richard J. Camp, Visa Vaivai, Patrick J. HartStatus of forest birds on Tinian Island, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, with an emphasis on the Tinian monarch (Monarcha takatsukasae) (Passeriformes; Monarchidae)
Landbird populations on Tinian Island have been periodically surveyed since 1982 to evaluate the status of non-native and native landbirds. We report the results of surveys in 2013 and the observed changes during 31 years in species population trends based on surveys since 1982. A total of 11 native and 3 non-native species were detected during the 2013 survey. Population sizes were estimated usinAuthorsRick L Spalding, Richard J. Camp, Paul C. Banko, Nathan C Johnson, Angela D Anders2021 Tinian Island forest bird abundance estimates
The U.S. Navy, through Micronesian Environmental Services, surveyed landbirds in the Military Lease Area on Tinian Island in May and June 2021 using point-transect distance sampling methods. There were 2,074 individuals of 14 species detected during 123 point counts. Six species were detected during >50% of the counts and were observed at relatively high abundances, while eight species occurred atAuthorsRichard J. Camp, Trevor Bak, Ayesha GenzForest bird populations at the Big Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Hawai‘i
Endemic Hawaiian forest birds have experienced dramatic population declines. The Big Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex (BINWRC) was created for conservation of endangered Hawaiian forest birds and their habitats. Surveys have been conducted at two units of BINWRC to monitor forest bird populations and their response to management actions. We analyzed survey data from 1987 to 2019 at the HakaAuthorsSteven J. Kendall, Rachel A. Rounds, Richard J. Camp, Ayesha Genz2019-2021 Palila abundance estimates and trend
The palila (Loxioides bailleui) population on Mauna Kea Volcano, Hawai‘i Island, was estimated from annual surveys in 2019−2021, and a trend analysis was performed on survey data from 1998−2021. The 2019 population was estimated at 1,030−1,899 birds (point estimate: 1,432), the 2020 population was estimated at 964−1,700 birds (point estimate: 1,312), and the 2021 population was estimated at 452−94AuthorsAyesha Genz, Kevin W. Brinck, Chauncey K. Asing, Lainie Berry, Richard J. Camp, Paul C. Banko - News