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Title: Environmental conditions and animal behavior influence performance of solar-powered GPS-GSM transmitters

Journal Article · · Condor
 [1];  [2];  [1];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Georgia, Aiken, SC (United States)
  2. Univ. of Georgia, Aiken, SC (United States); Univ. of Georgia, Athens, GA (United States)
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Solar-powered GPS transmitters linked to the GSM cellular transmission system are a powerful new tool for avian research. Data collection can be researcher programmed or use dynamic fix (DF) rates that are automatically adjusted in accordance with battery charge. Lack of prior knowledge of fix (location) collection rates represents an obstacle to designing studies with transmitters that use DF rates. We assessed the quantity and quality of data collected by a commercially available DF transmitter. To assess fix collection rates, factors influencing fix collection rates, GPS accuracy, and the ability of transmitters to differentiate movement from nonmovement, we used a combination of controlled static tests at known locations, deployments on free-ranging Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) and Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura), and motion tests. During static testing, transmitters often collected upwards of 500 fixes per day in open habitats with little cloud cover. Hourly fix rates varied, commonly reaching 1 fix min–1 at midday but dropping to 1 fix hr–1 at night. The numbers of daylight fixes collected during vulture deployments were greater on days with little cloud cover, positively correlated with increasing daily movement rates, and positively correlated with available daylight hours, likely due in part to increased solar radiation near the summer solstice. Mean horizontal GPS error was 7.8 m (± 12.2 m SD). Mean vertical error was 4.5 m (± 142 m) above true elevation. Speed records >0 km hr–1 were reliable indicators of movement provided a 3D fix was obtained. Altogether, the transmitters that we evaluated provided large volumes of data, but the inability to control data collection schedules may prove problematic for some applications. DF solar-powered transmitters appear best suited for use with active species in open habitats, and least suitable for use with species that inhabit high latitudes year-round or spend considerable time under forest cover.

Research Organization:
Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States). Savannah River Ecology Lab. (SREL)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
FC09-07SR22506
OSTI ID:
1825669
Journal Information:
Condor, Vol. 119, Issue 3; ISSN 0010-5422
Publisher:
BioOneCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 12 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (2)

Evidence of niche differentiation for two sympatric vulture species in the Southeastern United States journal October 2019
A three-decade review of telemetry studies on vultures and condors journal September 2018

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Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
animal location data
animal movement
Cathartes aura
Coragyps atratus
fix rate
GPS accuracy
telemetry