Cited by 528Wildlife Ecology and ConservationWireless Sensor Networks for Data AnalysisAnimal Ecology and Behavior Studies

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

Open access
Tomkiewicz, Stanley M., Fuller, Mark R., Kie, John G., Bates, Kirk K.·2010·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Abstract

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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Registry

Crossref · 10.1098/rstb.2010.0090

Cites

80 of 80 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Biologging technology now makes it possible to pair acoustic recordings with data on movement, physiology, and the environment.

    “Biologging technology now makes it possible to pair acoustic recordings with data on movement, physiology, and the environment.”
  • Tiny tags can capture GPS location, accelerometry, magnetic orientation, and sound all at once, which lets researchers zoom in on fine-scale decision-making while still keeping track of long-term population trends.

    “Tiny tags can capture GPS location, accelerometry, magnetic orientation, and sound all at once, which lets researchers zoom in on fine-scale decision-making while still keeping track of long-term population trends (Stidsholt et al. 2018; Tomkiewicz et al. 2010).”

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Authors
Tomkiewicz, S. M., Fuller, M. R., Kie, J. G., & Bates, K. K.
Affiliations
  • Telonics, Inc, 932 East Impala Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85204, USA
  • United States Geological Survey (US)
  • Idaho State University (US)
  • Boise State University (US)
Corresponding author
Tomkiewicz, Stanley M.
Venue
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Published
2010-07-27
Volume
365
Issue
1550
Pages
2163-2176
ISSN
  • 0962-8436 (ISSN-L)
  • 1471-2970
OpenAlex
W2131455567
Cited by
528
References
80
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 34 · 2021: 53 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 37 · 2018: 36 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 42 · 2015: 47 · 2014: 32 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 30
FWCI
2.55
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Scholar Works (Boise State University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Networks and Communications › Wireless Sensor Networks for Data Analysis
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
Keywords
global positioning system, animal tracking, biologging, animal behavior, wildlife ecology, data logger, radio frequency data transmission, Argos, Globalstar, underwater acoustic telemetry, dive profiles, terrestrial fauna, birds, high-frequency sampling, mortality statistics
MeSH terms
Animals, Animals, Wild, Behavior, Animal, Ecology, Satellite Communications, Geographic Information Systems

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