DOI: 10.5061/dryad.cc2fqz646
title: The elevated mist-net frame - Supporting Information: Appendices S1-S4

description: Summary  Classic standard mist-netting limits sampling to
 understory birds flying &lt;3 m above ground-level. Methodological
 innovations targeting higher strata birds (and bats) are important for
 ecological studies, particularly in tropical forests. I present and
 evaluate a method of applying elevated mist-net frames (EMF) up to ~25-30
 m. I designed detachable mobile alloy frames for standard-sized 3×6 m
 mist-nets, weighing ~11 kg including fittings, and suspended by 3-point
 cable-wire mounting. State-of-the-art archery and fishing gear are
 employed for securing anchor-lines, with hoisting applied by pulley, ropes
 and guys. EMF is assembled and detached by 2-3 team members within 15-20
 minutes, and up-down hoisting lasts 1-3 minutes. EMF excludes
 tree-climbing and arboreal platforms, through versatile manoeuvring in
 lightly-cluttered naturally open corridors. EMF costs are source and
 quantity dependent, and feasible to institutions and grant beneficiaries.
 EMF is a workable alternative or supplement to existing elevated
 mist-netting applying poles, ropes and pulleys, owing to strength and
 durability, replicable construction, and versatile manoeuvrability in
 upper strata. The EMF-design demonstrates favourable prospects for
 high-tech development, thus further innovations are recommended.
description: Appendix S1. Detailed step-by-step DIY manual for elevated
 mist-net frame (EMF) production and field operation.
 Appendix S2: Comparison of cost-benefits, operational efficiency
 and versatility of the elevated mist-net frame (EMF) with other elevated
 mist-net. Appendix S3: Summary of total captures, mean
 height of net-placement and capture, and capture rate during 6,933
 net-meter-hours (n-m-h) application of elevated mist-net frames (EMF) in
 the Ankasa Resource Reserve, south-west Ghana from 25-31 January and 25
 June - 1 July, 2018. Nets were placed above a forest road, as well as in a
 grid of transects, all in lightly cluttered forest-canopy of up to 25-30
 m; total canopy height of the forest sections we worked, in during 2018,
 was &gt; 40m. Appendix S4: Video demonstration
 footage of elevated mist-net frame (EMF) operation (5.39 minutes), shot
 with a Sony DSC RX100 M3 camcorder, showing the structure and operation of
 the EMF-device applied in canopy height of up to 25-30 m above a narrow
 forest road in the Ankasa Resource Reserve, south-west Ghana, 25-31
 December 2018.
description: S1: Word doc file; the data is a text describing in detail the
 practical tool device production method and applications in the field.
 Referred to as Appendix S1 under 'Data Availability
 Statement' in the paper. S2: Word doc file; table
 of variables compared for EMF contra other elevated mist-net systems.
 Referred to as Appendix S2 under 'Data Availability Statement'
 in the paper. S3: Word doc file; table presenting a
 total of 47 captures distributed on 17 species of forest birds
 captured, for which average net and capture height, as well as capture
 rates (per nmh), are listed for each species. Referred to as Appendix S3
 under 'Data Availability Statement' in the paper.
 S4: MP4 file (639 MB). Video footage. Referred to as Appendix S4
 in 'Data Availability Statement' in the paper. Also accessible
 for free (URL:https://youtu.be/ctYUlb9P-6I).