Journal article 940 views
High accuracy tracking reveals how small conservation areas can protect marine megafauna
Graeme C. Hays,
Jeanne A. Mortimer,
Alex Rattray,
Takahiro Shimada,
Nicole Esteban 
Ecological Applications, Volume: 31, Issue: 7
Swansea University Author:
Nicole Esteban
Full text not available from this repository: check for access using links below.
DOI (Published version): 10.1002/eap.2418
Abstract
Space use estimates can inform conservation management but relaying high accuracy locations is often not straightforward. We used Fastloc-GPS Argos satellite tags with the innovation of additional data relay via a ground station (termed a “Mote”) to record high volumes (typically >20 locations pe...
| Published in: | Ecological Applications |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1051-0761 1939-5582 |
| Published: |
Wiley
2021
|
| Online Access: |
Check full text
|
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58161 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Abstract: |
Space use estimates can inform conservation management but relaying high accuracy locations is often not straightforward. We used Fastloc-GPS Argos satellite tags with the innovation of additional data relay via a ground station (termed a “Mote”) to record high volumes (typically >20 locations per individual per day) of high accuracy tracking data. Tags were attached in the Chagos Archipelago (Indian Ocean) in 2018–2019 to 23 immature turtles of two species for which there have been long-standing conservation concerns: 21 hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) and two green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Over long tracking durations (mean 227.6 d per individual), most turtles moved very little. For example, 17 of 21 hawksbill turtles remained continuously in the lagoon where they were equipped, with 95% and 50% utilization distributions (UDs) averaging only 1.03 and 0.18 km2, respectively. Many individuals, and both species, could use the same small spaces, i.e., individuals did not maintain unique home ranges. However, three hawksbill turtles travelled hundreds of kilometersfrom the tagging site. Our results show that, for some large marine vertebrates, even small protectedareas of only a few square kilometers can encompass the movements of a large proportion of individuals over long periods. High accuracy tracking may likewise reveal the details of space use for many other animals that move little and/or use important focal areas and where previous low-accuracy tracking techniques have tended to overestimate space use . |
|---|---|
| Keywords: |
animal tracking; Argos; BIOTMPA; conservation planning; sea turtle |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
Bertarelli Foundation |
| Issue: |
7 |