Abstract

This project extends the scope and precision of data collection regarding the movements and behaviors of free-ranging animals.

Issue

The capacity to decisively test many evolutionary and ecological theories lies beyond the capacity of direct human observation, and the presence of human observers often alters the very phenomena we wish to study.

The pace of ecological degradation demands tools for remote monitoring and data acquisition that rapidly assess the size of animal populations, their reproductive health, and the responses of those animals to human activities.

These are compelling reasons to extend the scope and resolution of environmental observation using instrumentation that can automate data collection and analysis.

Response

Systems that can continuously record ambient sound for many weeks in terrestrial and marine environments have been developed. An economical aerial acoustic sampling system has been developed to conduct line transect surveys in inaccessible areas. Software to automatically digest these recordings to detect, identify, and localize sounds has been developed. A miniature, microprocesssor-controlled radio tag has been developed that offers significant increases in lifetime and data collection capability. An automatic direction finding radio receiver system is nearly complete to automatically track these tags.

Impact

Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas has a more accurate picture of the distribution and density of birds in their live fire range.

Congaree National Park in South Carolina has more accurate information about the status of rare birds and frogs.

Archival recordings of natural soundscapes are being accumulated, to serve as an historical record of change in natural environments and changes in human impacts.

Funding Sources

• Private (e.g., commodity groups, foundations, companies)
• Other Federal non-USDA (e.g., NSF, NIH, DOA, DOD)

Collaborators

• Fort Hood Natural Resources Branch
• Congaree National Park Service Staff

Key Personnel

• N/A