地理信息系统及其在动物空间行为研究中的应用

空间属性是动物行为的重要特征,也是行为生态学研究中必须要面对的难题之一。地理信息系统(Geographic Information System,GIS)具有强大的空间分析功能,它在动物行为生态学研究中得到了越来越广泛的应用,如生境选择、领域分析、迁徙路线、活动节律等。本文较系统地阐述了GIS的原理以及在行为生态学研究中所涉及的基本概念和原理,对近年来利用GIS进行的行为生态学研究做了回顾和总结,并对其未来的发展进行了展望。

Geographic Information System and Their Application in the Study of Animal Spatial Behavior

Spatial attributes are an important characteristic of animal behavior.They are also a difficult subject for researchers,as the study methods,techniques and equipment required to study them have been limited in past years.With the rapid development of their technique and function in the last twenty years,Geographic Information Systems(GIS)have been more often applied in the study of animal behavioral ecology,such as habitat selection,territory,migration route and so on.GIS is a computer-based system,capable of capturing,storing,analyzing,and displaying geographically referenced data with its powerful spatial analysis abilities.In this paper,we discuss the principles and concepts of GIS in studies of animal behavioral ecology.Approaches and development of recent animal behavioral ecology studies using GIS are also summarized.