title: High-resolution forest mapping for behavioural studies in the Nature Reserve 'Les Nouragues', French Guiana.
abstract: For animals with spatially complex behaviours at relatively small scales, the resolution of a global positioning system (GPS) receiver location is often below the resolution needed to correctly map animals' spatial behaviour. Natural conditions such as canopy cover, canyons or clouds can further degrade GPS receiver reception. Here we present a detailed, high-resolution map of a 4.6 ha Neotropical river island and a 8.3 ha mainland plot with the location of every tree >5 cm DBH and all structures on the forest floor, which are relevant to our study species, the territorial frogAllobates femoralis(Dendrobatidae). The map was derived using distance- and compass-based survey techniques, rooted on dGPS reference points, and incorporates altitudinal information based on a LiDAR survey of the area.
authors.affiliation: University of Vienna, Department of Integrative Zoology, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ringler
authors.affiliation: University of Vienna, Department of Integrative Zoology, Vienna, Austria ; Haus des Meeres - Aqua Terra Zoo, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mangione
authors.affiliation: University of Vienna, Department of Cognitive Biology, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Andrius
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pašukonis
authors.affiliation: University of Vienna, Department of Integrative Zoology, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rainer
authors.affiliation: University of Vienna, Department of Integrative Zoology, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gyimesi
authors.affiliation: Grammar School GRG11, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Felling
authors.affiliation: University of Vienna, Department of Integrative Zoology, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Hannes
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kronaus
authors.affiliation: Université Paul Sabatier, Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Maxime
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Réjou-Méchain
authors.affiliation: Université Paul Sabatier, Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chave
authors.affiliation: University of Vienna, Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reiter
authors.affiliation: University of Vienna, Department of Integrative Zoology, Vienna, Austria ; University of Vienna, Department of Cognitive Biology, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ringler
keywords: Compass mapping; Neotropical rainforest; digital map; forest inventory; tree mapping