Radio Tracking Deer Radio Tracking Deer and GIS Softwareand GIS Software

By Brian FoleyBy Brian Foley

Dept of Computer ScienceDept of Computer Science

UW-Platteville WIUW-Platteville WI

Global Information Systems Global Information Systems

► Revolutionizes the study of wildlife Revolutionizes the study of wildlife animalsanimals

► GIS Software allows researchers to GIS Software allows researchers to see patterns and visualize data to see patterns and visualize data to give them a better understanding of give them a better understanding of the facts.the facts.

Topics to CoverTopics to Cover►Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

►UW-Madison CWD White-Tailed Deer UW-Madison CWD White-Tailed Deer Research ProjectResearch Project

►GIS Software such a Location Of A GIS Software such a Location Of A Signal (LOAS) and ArcviewSignal (LOAS) and Arcview

What is CWD?What is CWD?

►CWD is related to a group of diseases CWD is related to a group of diseases known as Transmissible Spongiform known as Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs).Encephalopathies (TSEs).

►TSEs are fatal diseases of the nervous TSEs are fatal diseases of the nervous system that creates lesions in the brain.system that creates lesions in the brain.

►The causative agent is a modified Protein The causative agent is a modified Protein called a Prion which is found in the called a Prion which is found in the nervous system and lymphatic tissues.nervous system and lymphatic tissues.

Other Examples of TSEsOther Examples of TSEs

►Scrapie in sheepScrapie in sheep

►Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle. Also known as “Mad (BSE) in cattle. Also known as “Mad Cow Disease”.Cow Disease”.

►Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humansCreutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans

Symptoms of Deer with CWDSymptoms of Deer with CWD

►Become lean through loss of fleshBecome lean through loss of flesh

►Display of Abnormal BehaviorDisplay of Abnormal Behavior

►Loss of Bodily FunctionsLoss of Bodily Functions

►Eventually Death Eventually Death

Concerns of CWDConcerns of CWD

► It is unknown whether humans can It is unknown whether humans can become infected with CWD.become infected with CWD.

►To be safe, people should not consume To be safe, people should not consume or handle the brain, eyes, tonsils, and or handle the brain, eyes, tonsils, and spinal cord.spinal cord.

►The meat should be de-boned before The meat should be de-boned before consumption.consumption.

CWD in WisconsinCWD in Wisconsin

►On February 28, 2002, three deer in On February 28, 2002, three deer in Mount Horeb WI were found to have Mount Horeb WI were found to have CWD.CWD.

►White-Tailed deer appear more White-Tailed deer appear more susceptible to CWD than elk and mule susceptible to CWD than elk and mule deer.deer.

►Much more deer per square mile in WIMuch more deer per square mile in WI

CWD ZoneCWD Zone

CWD White-tailed Deer CWD White-tailed Deer Research ProjectResearch Project

►Seeks to determine the movement Seeks to determine the movement patterns of deer.patterns of deer.

►Collect data to determine home-ranges Collect data to determine home-ranges and dispersal movements.and dispersal movements.

►Examine behavior that may contribute Examine behavior that may contribute to the spread of the diseaseto the spread of the disease

►By learning the above, it may be By learning the above, it may be possible to determine the rate at which possible to determine the rate at which CWD spreads throughout the landscape.CWD spreads throughout the landscape.

Gathering of DataGathering of Data

►VHF radio collars are placed on deerVHF radio collars are placed on deer

►Technicians track the signalsTechnicians track the signals

►LOAS Determines The Location of DeerLOAS Determines The Location of Deer

►Arc View uses the results of LOAS to Arc View uses the results of LOAS to make other unique comparisonsmake other unique comparisons

Radio CollarsRadio Collars

►Deer are captured using various Deer are captured using various techniquestechniques

►VHF radio collars are placed on deerVHF radio collars are placed on deer►Each collar is set to a unique frequencyEach collar is set to a unique frequency►Deer are tracked through radio Deer are tracked through radio

telemetrytelemetry►Deer are tracked 3-10 times per week Deer are tracked 3-10 times per week

at various times of the dayat various times of the day

Radio Collared DeerRadio Collared Deer

Locating A Specific AnimalLocating A Specific Animal

►Technicians are sent to at least 4 Technicians are sent to at least 4 waypointswaypoints

►The frequency of a specific deer is The frequency of a specific deer is dialed-indialed-in

►Once a signal is detected, data is Once a signal is detected, data is recordedrecorded

Data To Be RecordedData To Be Recorded

1.1. Direction of the signal in degreesDirection of the signal in degrees

(this is called a “Bearing”)(this is called a “Bearing”)

2.2. Strength of a signalStrength of a signal

3.3. Whether or not an animal is activeWhether or not an animal is active

4.4. Temp, precipitation, date, time of Temp, precipitation, date, time of bearing, and relative wind speed bearing, and relative wind speed

““Bearing” ConstraintsBearing” Constraints

►LOAS requires at least 2 “Bearings”LOAS requires at least 2 “Bearings”►All “Bearings” must be taken within 20 All “Bearings” must be taken within 20

minutes of each otherminutes of each other►A minimum of 6 hours must pass A minimum of 6 hours must pass

between sets of bearingsbetween sets of bearings►““The Error Polygon” needs to be less The Error Polygon” needs to be less

than 50,000 square metersthan 50,000 square meters

The Error PolygonThe Error Polygon

►““The polygon formed where all the The polygon formed where all the bearings intersect”bearings intersect”

►The more “Bearings” take, the smaller The more “Bearings” take, the smaller the polygon becomes.the polygon becomes.

►The smaller the Error Polygon, the The smaller the Error Polygon, the more accurate LOAS becomesmore accurate LOAS becomes

►The Deer’s location is within this The Deer’s location is within this polygonpolygon

A Problem Called “Bounce”A Problem Called “Bounce”

►Occurs in Hilly TerrainOccurs in Hilly Terrain

►Signal comes from behind the Signal comes from behind the direction the technician is facingdirection the technician is facing

►Beacons to test the effects of BounceBeacons to test the effects of Bounce

Global Coordinate SystemGlobal Coordinate System

►Called the “Universal Transverse Called the “Universal Transverse Mercator”Mercator”

►Developed by the Dept. Of DefenseDeveloped by the Dept. Of Defense

►Divides the world into 60 different Divides the world into 60 different North-South longitudinal zonesNorth-South longitudinal zones

Problem For UW-Madison Problem For UW-Madison Research ProjectResearch Project

►Radio-Collared deer in Iowa and Dane Radio-Collared deer in Iowa and Dane CtyCty

►Zone 15 and 16 meet in Iowa CtyZone 15 and 16 meet in Iowa Cty

►Wisconsin Transverse Mercator (WTM) Wisconsin Transverse Mercator (WTM) is developed by the Wisconsin is developed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesDepartment of Natural Resources

LOAS SoftwareLOAS Software

►Only used for estimating locationsOnly used for estimating locations

►A minimum of 2 “Bearings” neededA minimum of 2 “Bearings” needed

► Incorporates graphical representationsIncorporates graphical representations

►Works hand in hand with Arc ViewWorks hand in hand with Arc View

LOAS InterfaceLOAS Interface

Figure 1. LOAS user interface

Data SpreadsheetData Spreadsheet

►Spreadsheet of the data to be used by Spreadsheet of the data to be used by LOAS. The user may modify the data LOAS. The user may modify the data by double clicking a cell and changing by double clicking a cell and changing the contents.the contents.

Results SpreadsheetResults Spreadsheet

►This file is read only, however it can be This file is read only, however it can be copied into other programs.copied into other programs.

Error LogError Log

► If LOAS encounters any kind of an If LOAS encounters any kind of an error in processing, the errors are error in processing, the errors are listed here. Examples include bearing listed here. Examples include bearing lines that do not intersect or data of lines that do not intersect or data of the wrong type.the wrong type.

LegendLegend

►This will give alternative graphing This will give alternative graphing options such as changing the way lines options such as changing the way lines and points are displayed.and points are displayed.

PolygonIDPolygonID

►Data of the click ellipses appear hereData of the click ellipses appear here

LOAS and DatabasesLOAS and Databases

►Can open database files and text filesCan open database files and text files►Converts a text file into a character Converts a text file into a character

based databasebased database►Able to link databasesAble to link databases

Example: Parent file may contain Example: Parent file may contain bearing data while the child file may bearing data while the child file may contain receiver locationscontain receiver locations

Selecting Bearing Estimators to Selecting Bearing Estimators to Calculate LocationsCalculate Locations

►7 different estimators7 different estimators►Each estimator differs in accuracy and Each estimator differs in accuracy and

required datarequired data►Desired estimator depends on many Desired estimator depends on many

factors factors ► *desired accuracy*desired accuracy *number of bearings taken*number of bearings taken *quality of bearings*quality of bearings

7 Bearing Estimators7 Bearing Estimators

1.1. Maximum Likelihood EstimatorMaximum Likelihood Estimator

2.2. Huber EstimatorHuber Estimator

3.3. Andrew EstimatorAndrew Estimator

4.4. Best BiangulationBest Biangulation

5.5. Arithmetic MeanArithmetic Mean

6.6. Geometric MeanGeometric Mean

7.7. Harmonic MeanHarmonic Mean

Maximum Likelihood Maximum Likelihood EstimatorEstimator

►Finds the least angular errorFinds the least angular error

► Iterative algorithmIterative algorithm

►No outliersNo outliers

Estimator SelectionEstimator Selection

Huber and Andrew Huber and Andrew EstimatorsEstimators

►Known as the “M” MethodsKnown as the “M” Methods

►Bearing outliers existBearing outliers exist

►Recursive iterationsRecursive iterations

►5 bearings are needed5 bearings are needed

Best Biangulation EstimatorBest Biangulation Estimator

►Used if only 2 bearings are availableUsed if only 2 bearings are available

►Picks the angle closest to 90 degeesPicks the angle closest to 90 degees

Arithmetic MeanArithmetic Mean

►The old standbyThe old standby

►Adds all coordinate points and Adds all coordinate points and averagesaverages

►Can be “skewed”Can be “skewed”

Geometric Mean | Harmonic Geometric Mean | Harmonic MeanMean

► Logarithmic method Logarithmic method is usedis used

► More accurate than More accurate than

Arithmetic MeanArithmetic Mean

► Still outlier sensitiveStill outlier sensitive

► Similar to Arithmetic Similar to Arithmetic and Geometric and Geometric MeanMean

► Less outlier Less outlier sensitivesensitive

LOAS GraphicsLOAS Graphics

►Label useLabel use

►Font and ColorFont and Color

►Point and Line propertiesPoint and Line properties

LOAS DataLOAS Data

►Automatically creates other filesAutomatically creates other files

►Results sent to spreadsheet Results sent to spreadsheet

►Filtering of Data is allowedFiltering of Data is allowed

►Sorting CapabilitySorting Capability

ArcViewArcView

►Allows user to determine other Allows user to determine other relationships besides locationrelationships besides location

►Creates shapefiles or mapsCreates shapefiles or maps►Comes with 8 CD-ROMSComes with 8 CD-ROMS►Multimedia links can be incorporatedMultimedia links can be incorporated►Many additional extensionsMany additional extensions

Other ArcView ExtensionsOther ArcView Extensions

►ArcView Spatial AnalystArcView Spatial Analyst►ArcView 3D AnalystArcView 3D Analyst►ArcView Image AnalysisArcView Image Analysis►ArcView Tracking AnalystArcView Tracking Analyst►ArcView StreetMapArcView StreetMap►ArcView Movement AnalysisArcView Movement Analysis

UW-Madison CWD Research UW-Madison CWD Research ProjectProject

►Spatial Analyst = allows users to Spatial Analyst = allows users to analyze specific cell based raster analyze specific cell based raster maps, and to infer new information maps, and to infer new information based on current databased on current data

►Movement Analysis = used to analyze Movement Analysis = used to analyze movement datamovement data

Movement ExtensionMovement Extension

►Calculates Home-RangeCalculates Home-Range

►Kernel Home-Range and MCP Home-Kernel Home-Range and MCP Home-RangeRange

►Calculates distancesCalculates distances

Kernel Home Range ViewKernel Home Range View

►Utilization distribution gridUtilization distribution grid

►A Shapefile for each probability is createdA Shapefile for each probability is created

►Calculations for each probability is shownCalculations for each probability is shown

►Research Project uses 95% probabilitiesResearch Project uses 95% probabilities

Raw Data Raw Data

Removing 5% of the OutliersRemoving 5% of the Outliers

Converted to Kernel Home-Converted to Kernel Home-RangeRange

Minimum Convex PolygonMinimum Convex Polygon

Other ArcView CalculationsOther ArcView Calculations

►Center of a deer’s home-rangeCenter of a deer’s home-range

►VarianceVariance

►Mean distance of dispersalMean distance of dispersal

►Distance traveled daily in metersDistance traveled daily in meters

Questions ?Questions ?