Novel opportunities for wildlife conservation and research with real-time monitoring

作者：Wall Jake^*; Wittemyer George; Klinkenberg Brian; Douglas Hamilton Iain

来源：Ecological Applications, 2014, 24(4): 593-601.

DOI：10.1890/13-1971.1

• African elephants, Loxodonta africana
• environmental monitoring
• geofencing
• geographic information systems, GIS
• global positioning system, GPS
• immobility
• real-time monitoring
• telemetry
• wildlife monitoring

The expansion of global communication networks and advances in animal-tracking technology make possible the real-time telemetry of positional data as recorded by animal-attached tracking units. When combined with continuous, algorithm-based analytical capability, unique opportunities emerge for applied ecological monitoring and wildlife conservation. We present here four broad approaches for algorithmic wildlife monitoring in real time-proximity, geofencing, movement rate, and immobility-designed to examine aspects of wildlife spatial activity and behavior not possible with conventional tracking systems. Application of these four routines to the real-time monitoring of 94 African elephants was made. We also provide details of our cloud-based monitoring system including infrastructure, data collection, and customized software for continuous tracking data analysis. We also highlight future directions of real-time collection and analysis of biological, physiological, and environmental information from wildlife to encourage further development of needed algorithms and monitoring technology. Real-time processing of remotely collected, animal biospatial data promises to open novel directions in ecological research, applied species monitoring, conservation programs, and public outreach and education.

• 出版日期2014-6