Evaluation of Harmonic Direction-Finding Systems for Detecting Locomotor Activity

Abstract: We conducted a physical simulation experiment to test the efficacy of harmonic direction finding for remotely detecting locomotor activity in animals. The ability to remotely detect movement helps to avoid disturbing natural movement behavior. Remote detection implies that the observer can sense only a change in signal bearing. In our simulated movements, small changes in bearing (<5.7°) were routinely undetectable. Detectability improved progressively with the size of the simulated animal movement. The average (±SD) of reflector tag movements correctly detected for 5 observers was 93.9 ± 12.8% when the tag was moved ≥11.5°; most observers correctly detected tag movements ≥20.1°. Given our data, one can assess whether the technique will be effective for detecting movements at an observation distance appropriate for the study organism. We recommend that both habitat and behavior of the organism be taken into consideration when contemplating use of this technique for detecting locomotion.