GPS data Flashcards
Define Habitat
The geographical area that is inhabited by a particular species or population
Define ecosystem
A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment
How is spatial data collected?
1) remotely sensed data
2) GPS
What is spatial data used for?
1) Animal migrations/movements
2) Collective interactions
3) Habitat use
How is spatial data analysed?
1) Plotting spatial data
2) Home range
3) Habitat selection
4) Trajectory analysis
Define remote sensing
The use of satellites and aircrafts to acquire information about earth surface features
Define logger
An electronic device that collects and stores data
Define biologging
The attachment or implantation of equipment to organisms to provide information about their location, behaviour, physiology and environment
What is GPS?
Global Positioning System - a satellite based system that provides information about time and location
How does GPS work?
1) It measures the ranges from you to several satellites
2) It computes the satellite positions (using ephemeris data)
3) It solves the equations linking the satellite positions, ranges, and your positions, thus producing your positions
List six sources of error impacting GPS
1) atmospheric effects
2) Multipath errors
3) Satellite geometry (the distribution of GPS satellites in the sky affects how well the position is determined
4) Measurement noise
5) Ephemeris data
6) Satellite clock drift
Define home range
The home range of an individual (or a population) is the region where the animal spends its time and performs activities
What is the core area?
An area within a home range which is used intensively
Define territory
A defended area from competitors (usually a subset of the home range)
Define the lek
The lek is a communal mating area in which individuals hold small territories solely for courtship and copulation
Define Utilisation distribution
The two dimensional relative frequency distribution for the points of location of an animal over time
Define habitat selection
The process by which animals choose the habitat components to use
Name three examples in which GPS data has been used
1) Chacma baboons (animal behaviour and home range)
2) Habitat selection in koalas
3) Seasonal ranging of basking sharks
Define latitude
the angular distance, usually measured in degrees north or south of the equator. Lines of latitude are referred to also as parallels
Define UTM
It is an acronym for Universal Transverse Mercator. A projected coordinate system that divides the world into 60 north and south zones, 6 degrees wide.
