Advances in the tracking of marine species: using GPS locations to evaluate satellite track data and a continuous-time movement model

Kuhn, Carey E.; Johnson, Devin S.; Ream, Rolf R.; Gelatt, Thomas S.

doi:10.3354/meps08229

Cited by 54 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…In a recent analysis, Kuhn et al (2009) also showed that the spatial accuracy of GPS data made it far superior to Argos, even after fitting with an SSM to mitigate observation error. However, Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electronic tracking tag programming is critical to data collection for behavioral time-series analysis

et al. 2011

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Abstract. Electronic tracking tags are major tools of ecological research and management, but programming sophisticated tags can be challenging. We discovered that a common programming scheme can negatively affect the quality of tracks collected by Argos tags. Here we describe the problem and how it occurred. We then simulated a series of tracks with different data collection schemes to investigate how spatial precision and temporal frequency affect the overall quality of tracking data. Tracks were simulated using a two-state composite correlated random walk (CCRW). Tracks were simulated with two spatial scales, using parameters estimated from northern elephant seal (large scale) and California sea lion (small scale) tracking data. Onto each simulated track, observations of varying precision, frequency, and censoring were imposed. We then fit the CCRW in a state-space model (SSM) to the simulated observations in order to assess how data quality and frequency affected recovery of known behavioral state and location. We show that when movement scales are small, regular observations were critical to recover behavior and location. In addition, tracks with frequent regular locations (increasing N) overcame low spatial accuracy (e.g., Argos) to detect small-scale movement patterns, suggesting frequently collected Argos locations may be as good as infrequently collected GPS in some circumstances. From these results and our experience tracking animals generally, we produce a set of guidelines for those manufacturing, programming, and deploying electronic tracking tags to maximize the utility of the data they produce.Key words: animal tracking; Argos; geolocation; GPS; state-space model; wildlife telemetry.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electronic tracking tag programming is critical to data collection for behavioral time-series analysis

et al. 2011

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“…However, for many air-breathing marine species, it has been difficult or impossible to examine the fine-scale movements of individuals during distinct foraging periods due to limitations in position accuracy and frequency when using traditional Argos satellite tracking (Bradshaw et al 2004). Nevertheless, recent advances in GPS technology are helping to overcome these challenges by providing the ability to examine the detailed movement patterns of marine species (Mattern et al 2007, Schofield et al 2007, Kuhn et al 2009). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coupling GPS tracking with dive behavior to examine the relationship between foraging strategy and fine-scale movements of northern fur seals

Kuhn

Tremblay²,

Ream³

et al. 2010

Endang. Species. Res.

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The foraging strategies of diving marine species are often categorized into 3 fundamental groups (epipelagic, mesopelagic, and benthic foraging) based on diving, habitat use, and diet studies. Because these foraging strategies are influenced by the distribution and behavior of the prey being targeted, we would expect search behavior and space use to differ depending on the strategy employed. Since northern fur seals Callorhinus ursinus display both epipelagic and benthic foraging strategies, they were an ideal model to test the hypothesis that fine-scale movement and space-use patterns will vary when animals use markedly different foraging strategies. Dive bouts were characterized into foraging strategies based on numerous dive parameters (depth, duration, etc.). For each strategy, we compared movement patterns (e.g. transit rate and path straightness) and space use (area-restricted search [ARS] zones) around St. Paul Island, Alaska, USA. Nearly all dive parameters were significantly different between foraging strategies (epipelagic vs. benthic). In addition, epipelagic bouts were more sinuous and covered a greater total distance than benthic bouts. However, the greater distances traveled in epipelagic bouts were due to longer bout durations, as transit rates were not different between the 2 strategies. On average, < 2 ARS zones were identified per trip, and the characteristics of epipelagic and benthic ARS zones were not different. By combining dive behavior with precise at-sea locations, this study has provided a greater understanding of the finescale foraging behavior of northern fur seals. Monitoring changes in foraging behavior over time and comparing behavior among populations with differing population trajectories may provide more clues as to why northern fur seal numbers on St. Paul Island continue to decline.

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“…Studies are under way in the Amazon rainforest (MacLean 2009) and on penguins (Trathan et al 2008) using the first approach, while the second has been applied to studies on marine mammals and sea turtles that require remote data recovery (Hazel 2009). This second approach has been called 'Fastloc GPS' and has typically been used for data recovery using Argos (Kuhn et al 2009). A disadvantage of both techniques is that the unit cannot determine its own position.…”

Section: Filling the Gaps Between Fixesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global positioning system and associated technologies in animal behaviour and ecological research

Tomkiewicz¹,

Fuller

Kie

et al. 2010

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

408

357

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Biologists can equip animals with global positioning system (GPS) technology to obtain accurate (less than or equal to 30 m) locations that can be combined with sensor data to study animal behaviour and ecology. We provide the background of GPS techniques that have been used to gather data for wildlife studies. We review how GPS has been integrated into functional systems with data storage, data transfer, power supplies, packaging and sensor technologies to collect temperature, activity, proximity and mortality data from terrestrial species and birds. GPS 'rapid fixing' technologies combined with sensors provide location, dive frequency and duration profiles, and underwater acoustic information for the study of marine species. We examine how these rapid fixing technologies may be applied to terrestrial and avian applications. We discuss positional data quality and the capability for high-frequency sampling associated with GPS locations. We present alternatives for storing and retrieving data by using dataloggers (biologging), radio-frequency download systems (e.g. very high frequency, spread spectrum), integration of GPS with other satellite systems (e.g. Argos, Globalstar) and potential new data recovery technologies (e.g. network nodes). GPS is one component among many rapidly evolving technologies. Therefore, we recommend that users and suppliers interact to ensure the availability of appropriate equipment to meet animal research objectives.

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Advances in the tracking of marine species: using GPS locations to evaluate satellite track data and a continuous-time movement model

Cited by 54 publications

References 39 publications

Electronic tracking tag programming is critical to data collection for behavioral time-series analysis

Electronic tracking tag programming is critical to data collection for behavioral time-series analysis

Coupling GPS tracking with dive behavior to examine the relationship between foraging strategy and fine-scale movements of northern fur seals

Global positioning system and associated technologies in animal behaviour and ecological research

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