Analyzing a trend:
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES IN WILDLIFE TRACKING AND
MONITORING
Name
Name
Name
Sir Sandford Fleming College
Communications 202 – Amy Bowen
March 27, 2017
Analyzing a Trend 1
S.A.M. Environmental Group300 Sanderling Crescent, Lindsay, Ontario K9V 7L4
Letter of Transmittal
March 15, 2017Ms. Amy BowenCommunications DirectorFleming College, Frost Campus
Dear Ms. Bowen,
Per your request, please find attached our report regarding the latest advances in technology in
wildlife monitoring and tracking.
The following report assesses methods used to monitor wildlife historically and shortcomings
of those methods in contrast to current day methods using new technologies.
We focused in part on radio telemetry and capture / mark / recapture methods. We highlight
examples of bird migration monitoring which were sourced from the Bird Studies Canada project
Motus. In addition we also examine what the future holds for this trend and the challenges
created by the wealth of information we now have from these new technologies.
We hope you find the enclosed information of value to the needs of your organization and look
forward to discussing any questions or concerns you may have in person.
Yours truly,Frost Consulting Group
Analyzing a Trend 2
Table of Contents
Executive Summary…………………………………………………………………………….....3Introduction……………………………………………………………..........................................4Findings and Analysis
Trend Description………………………….……………………………………………...5Causes and Effects………………………………………..……………………………….6Looking Ahead……………………………………………………………………………7
Conclusion…………………………………. …………………………………………………….9References………………………………………………………………………………………..10
Analyzing a Trend 3
Executive Summary
To learn about wildlife we need to observe and monitor it. For many years scientists have
tracked and monitored wildlife using a variety of methods. Historically these methods required a
large amount of effort in order to obtain useable data, while still having significant gaps in
coverage and often requiring large amounts of resources. This was both financially costly and
usually stressful on the animals being studied due to repeated handling and human interaction.
Recent advances in technology - both in transmitter size and in detection capability have
minimized the amount of handling and impact on the wildlife while providing substantially more
data results for scientists to use. Sensor networks such as Motus are expanding to provide
coverage of large regions of North and South America, enabling us to track the movements of
migratory birds and other flying animals in detail that was previously impossible. The data
obtained, in combination with the analytical capabilities of GIS software, are providing us with
information required to protect key locations vital to the survival of many species.
Analyzing a Trend 4
Introduction
With human impact on birds and wildlife increasing dramatically, it`s becoming ever
more important that we monitor wildlife movements to help us determine the best ways to
protect and preserve the natural world for future generations. Scientists seeking to learn more
about the life histories of birds and other wildlife have used various forms of tracking and
monitoring techniques to acquire this information over the years. The purpose of this report is to
discuss technology used for wildlife tracking and monitoring, specifically as it relates to birds
and other wildlife, and to highlight the advances and trends in this technology in recent years.
This report will compare the differences of wildlife monitoring as it was historically carried out
and compare that with the technological advancements in the last few decades. We will discuss
advancements in radio telemetry methods and monitoring systems (such as Motus) that are being
used for tracking birds. Finally, we will also look to where this field is heading in the future and
the challenges we still face.
Analyzing a Trend 5
Findings and Analysis
Trend Description
Wildlife tracking has been used by scientists as a way to gather evidence on abundance of
wildlife and as a way to track movements of animals over their territory. Historically, scientists
have used traditional methods of wildlife monitoring and tracking such as ground based radio
telemetry and mark/recapture (banding) methods (Environment Canada, 1999). These are often
labour intensive, requiring many staff or volunteers to carry out the field work, hand written field
notes or logs, and are often limited in scale due to lack of coverage. In the past there were also
issues with recording, storing, reproducing and transferring data. First generation tracking
devices were limited due to size, weight, cost and reliability. Concerns have also been noted
about the potential impacts of the tracking devices on wildlife behaviour and survivorship
(Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks: Resources Inventory Branch, 1998).
More recently technology has progressed rapidly and many of the previously stated
obstacles are no longer an issue. New tracking devices and technologies are smaller, satellite
enabled, quicker, lighter, more reliable, and more cost efficient. Devices are now small enough
to be used to track specimens as small as hummingbirds and even dragonflies (see Figure 1).
Additionally, through the creation of networks of electronic sensors and human participants, new
technology has shaped the way in which wildlife is monitored (Audrey Verma, Rene van der
Wal, Anke Fischer, 2016). Now it is not necessary to recapture wildlife after it has been initially
tagged - transmitters last longer and can transmit data over larger areas and much longer time
frames.
Analyzing a Trend 6
Data transmission and storage has also increased dramatically and data can now be
translated into more easily understood formats (images) and be used by non-specialists (i.e.
visualization of bird migration) (Audrey Verma, Rene van der Wal, Anke Fischer, 2016).
Causes and Effects
Due to the limitations of traditional monitoring techniques, gaps in the overall picture of
wildlife movement and behaviour patterns left scientists with many unanswered questions.
Recent advancements in technology are enabling us to fill in these gaps and provide a more
complete picture of aspects of wildlife such as migration. With a network of sensors now in
place, examining entire migration patterns for a species has become a real possibility. For
example, we are now able to track the exact movements of migratory birds, including where they
are stopping over and how our activities are influencing their migration routes (Figure 2).
A current day network which enables us to do this is Motus. A project of Bird Studies
Canada, Motus is an automated radio telemetry array. Bird Studies Canada states, “[the] purpose
of Motus is to facilitate landscape-scale research and education on the ecology and conservation
of migratory animals” (Bird Studies Canada, 2017). Motus is currently the world’s largest central
hub for detection data which it receives from more than 300 receiving stations (Bird Studies
Canada, 2017). Motus allows researchers to track the movements of birds, bats, and other flying
Figure 1: Dragonfly with radio transmitter (motis.org, n.d)
Analyzing a Trend 7
animals at local and regional scales, and over vast distances. Motus has given scientists in the
Western Hemisphere new details of exact breeding and wintering habitats, and migration routes
of birds (Bird Life International, 2015). This allows data from many independent researchers to
be used by a larger collaborative of researchers, optimizing efforts, resources and money spent.
With this information scientists can better identify areas which are priorities for protection.
Adverse effects on wildlife are minimized by capturing wildlife only once. Less labour is
required overall compared to traditional methods and the return on investment is significantly
higher with more data produced from over a larger geographic area.
Looking Ahead
New technology has enabled great advancement in the field of wildlife monitoring and
will likely continue to do so for many years to come. Along with these advances in monitoring
comes the great wealth of new data being collected. The challenge moving forward is how to use
this data to benefit and conserve the wildlife we are studying. Data management, Geospatial,
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other information technologies hold the key to how
this data is used. GIS technology allows the scientists, researchers and even the public to
effectively manage wildlife migratory habitats and behaviors in order to identify areas of
Figure 1: Migration routes of Semipalmated Sandpipers and White-rumped Sandpipers.
Analyzing a Trend 8
conservation required for these animals. GIS provides visual data of population and distribution,
habitat use and preferences, progress of conservation activities, and historical to present regional
biodiversity. (ESRI, 2007) Geospatial analysis is an important part of how researchers are
gaining an understanding of the health of species in the wild. ArcGIS software helps scientist to
utilize the data collected from these tracking devices.
Analyzing a Trend 9
Conclusions
Increased human influence on the planet has led to the decline of many species and their habitats.
With greater loss of habitat comes a significant need to protect remaining pockets that are
required by species for survival. The lack of coverage and large effort required by traditional
wildlife tracking methods, for example banding of migratory birds, has made remote radio
telemetry a key development for future studies. Sensor networks such as Motus allow us to track
the movements of animals as small as butterflies and dragonflies in much greater detail than was
previously possible, while also reducing the stress of repeated handling on the study subjects.
Used in combination with GIS software, this data can provide us with the information required to
protect wildlife and habitats key to their survival. As we prepare for the future, we need to
ensure that we continually improve our methods for monitoring wildlife so that we are able to
preserve nature for generations to come.
Analyzing a Trend 10
References
Audrey Verma, Rene van der Wal, Anke Fischer. (2016). Imagining wildlife: New technologies and
animal censuses, maps and museums. Retrieved from Science Direct:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016718515302669
Bird Life International. (2015). Motus. Retrieved from Bird Studies:
http://www.birdscanada.org/about.jsp?lang=EN
Bird Studies Canada. (2017). Motus Wildlife Tracking System. Retrieved from Motus: http://motus.org/
Bird Studies Canada. (2014). Motus Wildlife Tracking System. Retrieved from Motus:
http://motus.org/data/demo/sandpipers2014.html
Environment Canada. (1999, July/August). Wildlife Tracking Technologies. Science and the
Environment Bulletin(13). Retrieved from http://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection/En1-
28-1-1999-08E.pdf
ESRI. (2007, 12). GIS Best Practices. Retrieved from GIS Wildlife Conservation:
https://www.esri.com/library/bestpractices/wildlife-conservation.pdf
Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks: Resource Inventory Branch. (1998). Wildlife Radio Telemetry
- Standards for Components of British Columbia's Biodiversity No. 5. Resource Inventory
Committee. Retrieved from http://www.ericlwalters.ca/telemetry.pdf
Top Related