Verification of Temperature Sensor Readings Obtained from Game and Trail Cameras Used for Crop Monitoring

Abstract.

The potential of using game and trail cameras for crop monitoring has been explored in recent research efforts involving time-lapse imaging and time-series analysis. The cameras used have embedded temperature sensors that detect air temperature which is stamped on the images. However, the consistency in the temperature sensed among multiple units of the same type is unclear, but needs verification in order to understand any limitations and identify where corrections might be required in future research. Therefore, this study assessed the consistency of temperature readings among twelve such cameras of the same type which were compared with a reference weather station. Three sets of four cameras, held together by attaching to a stable cardboard, were placed at different locations with one of the locations also having the reference weather station. Each set of cameras was swapped to other location after every one hour interval. The results showed that two sets of cameras had consistent readings with a slight fluctuation of 1°C from two cameras at one time interval. The two cameras in the last set showed a difference of 3 to 4°C as compared to the other two cameras. All the cameras underestimated the temperature readings when compared to the reference. Corrections are therefore required to adjust the temperature detected by the temperature sensors.