Effects of habitat feature,antenna position,movement, and fix interval on GPS radio collar performance in Mount Fuji,central Japan |
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Authors: | Zhaowen Jiang Mikio Sugita Masahiko Kitahara Seiki Takatsuki Takehiro Goto Yotaka Yoshida |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Yamanashi Institute of Environmental Sciences, Kamiyoshida 5597-1, Fujiyoshida Yamanashi, 403-0005, Japan;(2) Present address: Wildlife Conservation and Management Office Oyamagaoka, 1-10-13, Machida, Tokyo 194-0215, Japan;(3) Laboratory of Land Planning and Resource Use, Yamanashi Institute of Environmental Sciences, Kamiyoshida 5597-1, Fujiyoshida Yamanashi, 403-0005, Japan;(4) The University Museum, The University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan |
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Abstract: | The location performance of a global positioning system (GPS) collar was assessed for different habitats and geographical
areas. We tested the effects of habitat features, antenna position, movement, and fix interval on location performance around
Mount Fuji, a single peak surrounded by wide and flat areas. Fix rate decreased from 100% in open flat areas to 53% under
sloped dense canopy. The openness (the actual available sky, i.e., the percentage of a radio collar exposed to the sky when
part of the collar is blocked due to terrain and vegetation) and canopy closure affected location accuracy and most other
performance parameters. All nine habitat features except for available sky (theoretical, due to terrain) influenced location
time. Any combination of obstructions between collar and satellite decreased the available number of satellites, the fix rate,
increased the location time, and resulted in poorer location (higher DOP, lower 3-D proportion, or greater location error).
A horizontal antenna yielded poorer location performance than a vertical one in the forest but not in the open area. Location
performance always decreased when moving in forest rather than in open areas. Location performance changed with fix interval.
Sixty-minute intervals resulted in a longer location time and a lower DOP than 10-min intervals. Vegetation affected location
performance more than topography in the Mount Fuji area. Factors that cause a longer location time will shorten battery life.
We suggest that location frequency and duration employed for field research should be decided by considering the aim of the
study and the effects of habitat features, animal activity, and fix interval on GPS performance and battery longevity. The
strengthened effect of canopy closure during windy weather should be considered for forest-dwelling animals. |
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Keywords: | Antenna position Global positioning system Habitat feature Fix interval Location performance |
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