Mataki-LITE: lessons learned from petrel tracking (Part I: GPS loggers)
6 September 2018 7:00pm
6 September 2018 7:08pm
- Data recovery rate: Several possibilities exist for the lack of transmission:
1) Waterproofing failure: tests were performed to ensure that the waterproofing technique used in this study was resistant enough to sustain repeated immersions.
2) Death of tracked bird: The chicks of all tracked petrels were observed alive and in good condition in two visits in June and July, suggesting that tracked birds did not die during the tracking period.
3) Early loss of logger: Though the type of tape attachment I used in this study (which I reinforced with epoxy and a zip-tie) has been successful with other seabird, it is possible that rectrices broke off. I chose this technique instead of a dorsal attachment to keep the loggers from rubbing against the roof of rocky burrows, and to avoid the possibility of entanglement in hanging roots.
4) Early drain of logger battery: Remote-download GPS loggers such as Mataki-LITE have two main drains of power: 1) activating the GPS module to listen to communications from the network’s satellites, and 2) using the UHF radio to communicate with the base-station and, later, upload tracking data. I had written the logging script to optimize battery use through a geofence and a low-voltage mode. Based on recovered tracking data, it appears that none of the functioning loggers had entered the low-voltage mode during the ca 10 days at-sea though two of them had battery levels below the low-voltage threshold at the time of uploading data to the base-station (Table B.2). Since logger battery levels are only recorded when they send a heartbeat to the base station, it is unclear if these low battery levels had been reached earlier during the tracking period without triggering the low-voltage mode, had triggered the low-voltage mode but GPS data were not recorded, or resulted from a power drain due to radio communications.
5) Not enough time within range of base-station: It is possible that the loggers that did not transmit tracking data were not able to contact their respective base-stations despite having sufficient battery voltages. Radar surveys and camera-trapping at breeding colonies showed that Black-capped Petrels may reach speeds up to 70km/h when arriving at colonies and enter their burrows instantly. Upon leaving the nest, petrels stay <5 minutes outside the burrow. Pre-deployment trials showed that loggers placed at a burrow’s entrance were able to communicate with base-stations but loggers placed inside a burrow’s tunnel were not. The 2-minute heartbeat activated inside the 25-km geofence to optimize power should have been sufficient to upload tracking data but loggers that had failed to trigger the 25-km geofence (or that had already entered the low-voltage mode) were less likely to be within range of the base-station (~200 m) for long enough to send a successful heartbeat.
6 September 2018 7:09pm
Recommendations:
Mataki-LITE tags have a steep learning curve but they very adaptabile and cheap (for remote-download tags) so I hope these lessons-learned will prove useful for everybody.
- Future deployments may benefit from an attachment above the tail, ensuring that the uropygial gland is not covered; to avoid undue stress to the rectrices, the center of gravity of the logger should be as close to the rump as possible. Try dorsal deployments on birds nesting in large sod burrows.
- Although it is possible to extend the time period allocated to successfully log a GPS location, this would drastically increase power consumption. Therefore, try to improve attachment location before extending the GPS “ON time”.
- Simultaneous logging of GPS locations and battery levels, and GPS logging frequency may have to be decreased to optimize power consumption.
- Wider geofence radius and a higher heartbeat frequency in low-power mode.
Feel free to start the conversation and share your own scripts, deployment techniques and fixes!
Thanks,
Yvan
AudioMoth is now available on LabMaker
5 September 2018 5:17pm
Webinar: Pangolin Trade in China (9 AM BST/ 3 PM ICT, 4 September, 2018)
3 September 2018 3:32pm
Global Audit of Biodiversity Monitoring (data gaps)
3 September 2018 3:27pm
Solar balloon to better track wildlife
3 September 2018 10:25am
What have you been working on recently (2017)?
29 September 2017 12:15pm
31 August 2018 10:43am
EleSense IoT - https://conservationx.com/project/id/159/elesenseiotnetworkforhec
Early animal detection
27 July 2018 3:58pm
30 August 2018 9:05pm
Hi Anne and the Arribada team. This is such an exciting project and so pleased to see the progress you are making.
A couple of quick ideas sprang to mind reading your latest update. Firstly, the Lepton images are actually quite impressive I reckon. I was very pleasently surprised as I'd never really seen performance in relation to animals.
One thing I've noticed in working with thermal equipment is that sometimes it can help to have a known heat source/reference temperature to kind of callibrate the sensor. I first discovered this using a hand-held Flir unit made for industrial applications in searching for koalas in trees in Australia. Although the temperature range of interest could be set on the unit (also very useful), I noticed it performed even better when I placed my finger a little bit in front of the lens. It seemed to have an effect of markedly reducing the background thermal noise and made it a bit easier to spot koalas. I've sinced wondered about something a little more sophisticated, perhaps set up at various ranges from imagers, able to produce a fairly constant, known reference temperature and whether this would even help that much. Thoughts?
Also, we have a Flir Vue Pro R, the "R" standing for radiometric, which essentially just means that every pixel records quite an accurate temperature, which I've honestly never even looked at before. Recently I was asked by a researcher to borrow the unit to see if she could count flying foxes. I wondered whether, along with the actual images, the radiometric data might be useful. For example, I can imagine an algorithm scanning images looking for "clumps" or groupings of target temp pixels. I believe the Lepton series has a model that offers radiometry, which you may already have, and I'd be interested in collaborating on this front (e.g. providing reference data from the Vue etc., or whatever you think could be useful).
Finally, I don't know whether it'd be of much use, but we have an old Flir 120 x 80 pixel surveillance camera just sitting here that you are welcome to borrow. If you could cover shipping you are certainly welcome to use it for the term of the project. Not doing anything of value here at the moment.
Anyhow, my best for this great project and really looking forward to more updates.
Rob
Exchange of solutions submitted to the HWC Tech Challenge
11 July 2018 10:41am
23 August 2018 9:20am
23 August 2018 9:26am
30 August 2018 8:46pm
Here's a blurb of our idea cut-and-pasted from our application:
We propose utilising animal detection and alerting technology that Wild Spy has already developed and extensively tested (e.g. wireless identification (WID) technology). The system utilises long-life (5-10+ years) animal-borne WID transmitters as a primary and highly accurate means of detecting individual animals when they come within a predetermined range (from 5m up to 500m). Our versatile data logger/receiver and alerting system can be carried by personnel, outfitted to vehicles, buildings or other infrastructure, or carried by drones/aircraft. Alerts can be immediately sent via satellite or radio. Detection data can be stored on board and sent by various means (depending on available networks) and at nominated stages.
In addition, our system has also recently been redesigned to allow activation of additional devices, such as cameras or deterrents/repellents. Almost 1000 sound files can be stored on a deterrent system and played randomly in an effort to prevent habituation to specific sounds and provide tests of sound variety and intensity. A variety of strobe and intense lights can be simultaneously operated with acoustic stimuli. In principle, virtually any electronically-controllable deterrent could be incorporated into the system (e.g. propane cannons, fire crackers, water/chemical jets, motorised effigies). A similar system, complete with an acoustic deterrent, is currently being tested on lions involved in conflict with livestock producers in Botswana, under a project headed by Dr Neil Jordan (UNSW).
In conjunction with tagged animal detections, additional detection measures will be added to the system to bolster detection probabilities and enable detection of untagged individuals. Pertinent examples include passive infrared (PIR) and so-called “break-the-beam” motion detection if suited to the conditions, which we have successfully used in other projects. Another option will be to use FLIR thermal cameras, which we have many years’ experience with and could prove very useful in some circumstances, especially once thermal signatures of the target species have been properly determined.
This application was largely aimed at larger species that could acoomodate relatively large 433MHz tags, but we also have a 2.4GHz version for smaller critters.
We'll be releasing it all to open-source hopefully very, very soon.
More than happy to provide additional information to anyone interested and keep up the amazing work everyone. I've been very inspired by the projects I've come across through the challenge and on WILDLABS more generally.
Also, perhaps this is the beginnings of a think tank of sorts for these kinds of ideas, which I'd love to be involved in. Maybe we could have a group chat/Skype event - or a mini, digital "conference" discussing all these (and other ideas). I'd be keen.
Download the WILDLABS Annual Report 2017
28 August 2018 12:00am
Online Course in Global Risks, Conservation and Criminology
27 August 2018 8:44pm
Beehive fences and elephants: Tanzanian case study offers fresh insights
27 August 2018 12:00am
Is anyone using off-the-shelf GIS data collection apps? e.g. Collector for ArcGIS
8 March 2018 5:11pm
14 March 2018 11:28pm
So Collector is really for editing data, or adding GIS info in the field in a map interface. Works offline. It's ok for that purpose, you can take your entire map, basemap offline to the field, you can see what data has been collected in real-time, but can be buggy and if you accidentelly log out you're completely out of luck with no connection.
I use it to track drone flights - i.e. I flew here, with some notes.
Survey123 is ESRI's solution for ODK or form based surveys. I like it a lot, it's flexible, you don't need people to log in and it just looks better than ODK and works on iOS, and doesn't require the annoying server set-up of ODK and has great offline capability. But it's form-based, you don't really see the data you are editing in a map. But the best part are the analysis features where you can see stats on responses and such.
Let me know if you have more questions, we have used survey123 extensively, also in places where people have limited cell network, and limited knowledge of smartphones.
28 March 2018 12:40pm
Hi Steve,
Over on Twitter, @RLong has a suggestion that might be useful?
Dave Moskowitz https://t.co/ZJhAPTgzyx has developed some @ESRI Collector workflows for his work with @ConservationNW. You might get in touch with one of them for advice.
— Robert Long (@RLongEco) March 28, 2018
James Bevan also has some feedback:
I’ve used iGIS quite a bit to map points, lines and polygons. Created shapefiles can be emailed or stored in Dropbox and transferred to ArcGIS. The paid version also can calculate area and distance. Cons: somewhat fiddly to use.
— James Bevan (@JamesRBevan) April 9, 2018
Cheers
Steph
24 August 2018 5:18pm
Hi Steve,
I have used GIS Pro by Garafa on an iPad. I found it was one of the only apps that allowed importing of custom raster images. This feature has allowed me to take an image into the field, and ditize on it directly. I am mapping individual trees in airborne remote sensing data, so accurate digitizatoin with reference to my specific image is a must.
Other useful features are that you can create and edit vectors (points, lines, and polygons) and you cache basemaps (Google, Bing...) to work offline.
Happy to talk more about my application and experience with this app.
- Sarah
Recommendations Needed: Submersible Camera Traps
13 July 2018 3:15pm
13 August 2018 8:50pm
Hi @Chloe+Aust - great to see that you've found the right GSM camera trap for your needs. I was following this thread with interest as well: https://www.wildlabs.net/community/thread/388. A friend who works with underwater equipment said that he had some ideas. I'll put you in touch - it would be great if you can discuss via this thread so others can see his recommendations as well.
14 August 2018 1:38am
Hi Chole, there is a fellow named Sebastian Kennerknecht who is a camera trap wizzard. He has done a ton of work for Panthera. He might be a guy you want to speak with. You can find him on FB or I can privatley connect you. And, we should put your findings on the forum here so everyone can benefit.
24 August 2018 3:51pm
Amaxing, thank you! We had to put them out already so have gone with the super-tech solution of a *very* high pole for now but will look at speaking to Sebastian, or with your contact Rachel if that fails. Thank you so much! Chloe
Spacewalk for ICARUS
24 August 2018 12:00am
RSPB Project Puffin Story Map
23 August 2018 9:08pm
Thermal imaging, drones, and sea turtles: a case study using FLIR’s new Duo Pro R camera
23 August 2018 12:00am
Call for citizen scientists to help unravel the mysteries of South Sudan’s forests
22 August 2018 12:00am
How to share data on species to help conserve them… whilst avoiding them being exploited by poachers
20 August 2018 12:00am
Ocean Hack: San Francisco, 10-11th September, 2018
20 August 2018 12:00am
Open-source intelligence program?
3 July 2018 4:53pm
5 July 2018 8:40am
Hi Maike,
SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) is open source and has an upcoming intelligence plugin that will cater for your needs. Take a look at http://smartconservationtools.org/ and reach out to them for more information.
Kind regards,
Alasdair
9 July 2018 4:20pm
Hi Maike,
In this Quora post they mention 3 tools that maybe are of interest to you: Lumify, Visallo and Thomson Reuters Data Fusion Community Edition
https://www.quora.com/What-is-a-good-open-source-alternative-for-IBMs-i2-Analysts-Notebook
Regards,
Judit
17 August 2018 4:26pm
Hi Maike!
I used ORA Pro which was developed by Carnegie Mellon University. The 'lite' version is free to use and similar to IBM - http://www.casos.cs.cmu.edu/projects/ora/software.php
Best,
Sarah
Home for a New Field Station Fab Lab
16 August 2018 9:24am
SMART Trainers
14 August 2018 11:11am
Update on Richard Turere, inventor of 'Lion lights'
13 August 2018 10:02pm
Journal of Animal Ecology: Open Call for Biologging Papers
13 August 2018 5:06pm
Conservation Biology Special Section: Call for HWC Papers
13 August 2018 2:32pm
Wildlife monitoring using Smart-Cities tech
14 June 2018 10:49am
2 August 2018 1:23pm
Hi Nilaksha!
Thanks for your comments and interest in our project. I read your project profile and would like to suggest that you take a look at using LoRaWAN for low levels of communications traffic? We are looking and testing kit for use with the www.thethingsnetwork.org It might use less power than cellular or wifi networks?
I hope this helps,
2 August 2018 1:36pm
@simulsys Thanks Andrew. Indeed we're looking into LoRa technologies.
8 August 2018 11:18am
Both initiatives are very interesting. I love the one about the elephants that @nilaksha comments.
There are currently several projects that are using artificial intelligence (in fact, Microsoft is looking for interested parties for possible funding https://www2.fundsforngos.org/environment-conservation-climate-change-and-ecology/ai-for-earth-program-seeking-proposals-from-all-over-the-world/). But its main objective is to identify the species thanks to techniques such as deep learning and I do not know if it would be applicable in the present case.
Regards,
Judit
Wildlife Crime App Development
19 August 2016 11:53pm
12 July 2018 9:45pm
Hi Rosemary,
I know this is from quite a while ago, but I'd be interested in hearing how this moved forward and connecting with you. Please feel free to reach out directly - my email is [email protected].
Best, Maya
7 August 2018 9:21pm
Hi Maya,
We were able to get a website developed (www.safesouvenirs.com) but are now waiting on possible grant funding. In order to move forward, we would like to some work on uploading to our database and also getting into airports to advertise. So, fingers crossed that we are successful with the grant. Either way - I think it would be great to connect. I'll follow-up with a direct email.
Best, Rosemary
8 August 2018 11:05am
Hi Rosemary,
Do you know this website that gathers grants and resources for sustainability?
https://www2.fundsforngos.org/category/environment-conservation-climate-change-and-ecology/
Regards,
Judit
AudioMoth group purchase (round 5) is open now.
26 July 2018 3:43pm
7 August 2018 4:00pm
I love seeing how much this little device has taken off!
Using crowd-sourced funding to track snakes
30 July 2018 12:00am
Thermal Sensor Project Update: Testing with live animals at the San Diego Zoo
27 July 2018 12:00am
31 March 2023 2:15pm
6 September 2018 7:04pm
Discussion:
- Data recording rate:
1) Attachment location: It is likely that our attachment location on the underside of the tail had a negative impact on the recording rate. To avoid rectrix breakage and undue bouncing when flapping, we decided to center the loggers’ weight as close to the base of the tail as possible: loggers placed on top of the tail would have covered the uropygial gland therefore we chose to attach them on the underside, between the undertail coverts and the rectrices, with the GPS antenna pointing up.
2) GPS fix time: The location of GPS satellites at the time of recording might have prevented successful logging. Indeed, while GPS devices used by the general public have an ample supply of power that allows them to always be in communication with the network’s satellites (“hot start”), low-power wildlife tracking devices only activate GPS communication at the time of logging (“cold start”). Thus the amount of time required for a successful GPS logging (which is limited a priori to optimize power consumption) is affected by the location of GPS satellites at the moment of the cold start. The 4-minutes limit on GPS fix might have been to short.