Workshop: GPS Animal Tracking: From Movement Tracks to Behaviour Analysis

Date:   Wednesday August 29
Time:   14:00-17:10
Location:   Blauw

Organizers:

• Andrea Kölzsch (Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands); and
• Tamme van der Wal, AeroVision B.V., Naarden, The Netherlands

Abstract:

Goal  
To present E-Track project developments and discuss requirements.

Abstract  
Satellite positioning is a key technology to track animals and monitor their whereabouts.  In this way, spatial patterns like foraging and migration of a wide range of animals have  been analysed - from geese to elephants. One step further is to measure and analyse social  behaviour and interactions between animals and with their environment. The increased  positional accuracy of GPS due to the European augmentation system EGNOS (and its  equivalent WAAS) and the ever-progressing miniaturisation and power efficiency of devices  make enhanced measurements possible. Now we can progress from movement tracks to  behavioural analysis.  

Understanding animal behaviour and their response to the spatial environment is  important for wildlife management and farming. Therefore E-TRACK project develops an  integrated system to measure, monitor and analyse animal behaviour. EGNOS enhanced  GPS tracks provide the detailed positioning needed to look into animal behaviour. The  workshop presents results of the E-Track project and gives the opportunity to discuss and  interact on the subject.

Program:

• Enhanced satellite tracking for animal behaviour analysis (Lucas Noldus – Project Coordinator E-Track).
  This introduction presents an overview of issues, technology and solutions in animal behaviour analysis based on satellite tracking. Also, the goals and achievements of the project will be presented.

• Requirements analysis (Andrea Kölzsch – Researcher Movement Ecology).  The results of an extensive survey into user requirements provide focus for E-Track to focus on. The survey outcomes are presented and discussed.

• How to make GPS more accurate (Brian Cresswell – Animal tagging developer).
  GPS technology popping up in everyday devices increases our expectations of technology. Here, the state-of-the-art in positioning for animal tracking is presented and what can be done to improve it.

• Field trials (Frank van Langevelde – Researcher Spatial Resource Ecology). The E-Track tags have been tested on domestic animals before deploying them in the wild. The first results using our new tags on dairy cows will be presented and discussed.

• Discussion and Interactive session (Tamme van der Wal, and Andrea Kölzsch – Workshop chairs).
  Based on the introductions, participants engage in a lively interactive session around the Coolwall. Your opinions, suggestions and critics are collected and ranked, leading to an action-oriented wrap-up.