A Parsimonious Approach to Modeling Animal Movement Data

摘要: Animal tracking is a growing field in ecology and previous work has shown that simple speed filtering of data not sufficient improvement location estimates are possible. To date, this required methods complicated often time-consuming (state-space models), resulting limited application technique the potential for analysis errors due to poor understanding fundamental framework behind approach. We describe test an alternative intuitive approach consisting bootstrapping random walks biased by forward particles. The model uses recorded accuracy estimates, can assimilate other sources such as sea-surface temperature, bathymetry and/or physical boundaries. tested our using ARGOS geolocation tracks elephant seals also carried GPS tags addition PTTs, enabling true validation. Among pinnipeds, extreme divers spend little time at surface, which considerably impact quality both light-based tracks. Despite low overall tracks, provided within 4.0, 5.5 12.0 km 50% time, 9, 10.5 20.0 90% above, equal or below average seal track qualities, respectively. With data, were less than 104.8 (<0.94°), 199.8 (<1.80°). Larger lack temperature gradients. In we show flexible enough solve obstacle avoidance problem assimilating high resolution coastline data. This reduced number invalid on-land almost order magnitude. method intuitive, efficient, promising extensive utilization future research.