Movement-based estimation and visualization of space use in 3D for wildlife ecology and conservation

PLoS One. 2014 Jul 2;9(7):e101205. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101205. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Advances in digital biotelemetry technologies are enabling the collection of bigger and more accurate data on the movements of free-ranging wildlife in space and time. Although many biotelemetry devices record 3D location data with x, y, and z coordinates from tracked animals, the third z coordinate is typically not integrated into studies of animal spatial use. Disregarding the vertical component may seriously limit understanding of animal habitat use and niche separation. We present novel movement-based kernel density estimators and computer visualization tools for generating and exploring 3D home ranges based on location data. We use case studies of three wildlife species--giant panda, dugong, and California condor--to demonstrate the ecological insights and conservation management benefits provided by 3D home range estimation and visualization for terrestrial, aquatic, and avian wildlife research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild / physiology*
  • Birds / physiology*
  • Conservation of Natural Resources / methods
  • Dugong / physiology*
  • Ecology / methods*
  • Ecosystem
  • Female
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods
  • Male
  • Movement*
  • Telemetry / methods*
  • Ursidae / physiology*

Grants and funding

This research was funded by Sempra Energy and the U.S. Geological Survey. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.