Motes enhance data recovery from satellite-relayed biologgers and can facilitate collaborative research into marine habitat utilization

摘要: The fields of biologging and telemetry have triggered significant advances in the understanding animal behavior, physiological ecology habitat utilization. Biologging devices (“tags”) can also measure aspects physical biological characteristics animals’ environment. As marine ecosystems are less accessible than terrestrial ones animals more elusive difficult to study, data collected by tags attached often be relayed via satellite. However, satellite availability is not continuous decreases with decreasing latitude. Consequently, collection sufficient even challenging tropics mid-latitudes at poles. To overcome this limitation increase throughput from biologgers, new land-based receiving stations (called Motes) that receive, log relay messages transmitting on Argos frequency been developed. We investigated performance Motes as enhancers recovery signals transmitted normally destined for relay. quantified Mote reception range, coverage area, corruption rates examined factors might impact these parameters. do so, we used all detected two arrays installed Hawaiian Islands Southern California between latitudes 22 33°N. Second, using 12 sharks whales tagged near arrays, assessed how increased translated into improved ability interpret behavior animals. were capable up 100% within their range overall presented a ~three- fivefold message compared satellites alone. Message depended area which turn was affected station elevation, presence or obstacles line sight, directionality antennas. quantity enabled interpretation studied. such, improve our knowledge relation environments. Large-scale could potentially facilitate collaborative multi-disciplinary research projects, resulting better ecosystem conservation management.