scholarly journals Travel Rates of Wolves, Canis lupus, in Relation to Ungulate Kill Sites in Westcentral Alberta

2005 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald W. Kuzyk ◽  
Christoph Rohner ◽  
Fiona K. A. Schmiegelow
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Landscape Change ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Managed Forest ◽  
Detailed Understanding ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Prey System ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Ongoing Development

Recent advancements in Global Positioning Systems (GPS) radiocollar technology permit analysis of fine-scale animal movements. We used concurrent aerial and GPS monitoring to determine winter travel rates of Wolves (Canis lupus) in relation to ungulate kill sites in managed forest landscapes in westcentral Alberta. Wolves preyed predominately on Moose (Alces alces) and travelled 4.2 times less when near ungulate kill sites than when away from them. As Wolves are thought to be an important factor in Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) declines, information is needed to assess predation risk to Caribou from Wolves under a variety of landscape conditions. If Wolves have restricted movements near Moose kill sites, this may lead to decreased encounter rates with Caribou in systems where Moose are abundant. Deer (Odocoileus spp.) are probably an important component of this Wolf-prey system but little is currently known about this relationship. Projecting long-term implications of ongoing development activities requires a more detailed understanding of the responses of all species to landscape change.

scholarly journals Pack Size of Wolves, Canis lupus, on Caribou, Rangifer tarandus, Winter Ranges in Westcentral Alberta

2006 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald W. Kuzyk ◽  
Jeff Kneteman ◽  
Fiona K. A. Schmiegelow
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Landscape Change ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Prey Size ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Predation Pressure ◽  
Resource Extraction ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Pack Size ◽  
Wolf Predation

We studied pack size of Wolves (Canis lupus) on Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) winter ranges in westcentral Alberta. These Caribou winter ranges are experiencing increasing pressure from resource extraction industries (forestry, energy sector) and concerns have been raised regarding increased Wolf predation pressure on Caribou in conjunction with landscape change. Thirty-one Wolves, from eight Wolf packs, were fitted with radiocollars on two Caribou winter ranges in the Rocky Mountain foothills, near Grande Cache, Alberta (2000-2001). There was a mean of 8.2 Wolves/pack and between 30 and 39 Wolves on each of the RedRock/Prairie Creek and Little Smoky Caribou ranges. The average pack size of Wolves in this region does not appear to have increased over that recorded historically, but the range (5-18) in the number of Wolves per pack varied considerably over our study area. Wolves preyed predominately on Moose (Alces alces), averaging one Moose kill every three to five days. There was some indication that pack size was related to prey size, with the smallest pack preying on Deer (Odocoileus spp.). It was clear that Caribou could not be the primary prey for Wolves, due to their low numbers, and relative to the pack size and Wolf kills we observed.

scholarly journals Will ecosystem management supply woodland caribou habitat in northwestern Ontario?

Rangifer ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
David L. Euler
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Management ◽  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Managed Forest ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
And Function ◽  
Forested Ecosystems

Ecosystem management is emerging as an important concept in managing forests. Although the basic conceptual idea is not new, important defining principles are developing that elucidate some of the specific attributes of ecosystem management. These principles include: the maintenance of all ecosystems in the managed forest, rhe emulation of natural disturbance patterns on rhe landscape and the insurance that structure and function of forested ecosystems are conserved. Forest management has an impact on woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), although the presence of wolves (Canis lupus) and moose (Alces alces) in the same northern ecosystems also affects the caribou-forestry interacrion. Specific management for caribou as a featured species has been proposed, based on managing large landscape blocks. Ecosystem management would also produce habitat in a manner that might accomplish the goal of conserving woodland caribou as well as maintaining other important ecosystem functions.

Towards a Self-Calibratable IMU

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xing Jin ◽  
Jason V. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Measurement Unit ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Force System ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Inertial Measurement ◽  
Self Calibration ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Displacement Force

In this paper, we propose a method that might enable an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to self-calibrate. Self-calibration of IMU is important for: sensing accuracy, reducing manufacturing costs, recalibration upon harsh environmental changes, recalibration after long-term dormancy, and reduced dependence on global positioning systems. What is unique about our technology is that it is the first to offer post-packaged calibration of displacement, force, system stiffness, and system mass. The IMU considered in our study consists of three pairs of accelerometer-gyroscope systems located within the xy-, xz-, and yz-planes of the system. Each pair of sensors oscillates 90 degrees out of phase for continuous sensing during turning points of the oscillation where velocity goes to zero. We demonstrate self-calibration using preliminary data, and we model IMU accuracy and uncertainty through sensitivity analysis.

Confiabilidad de los registros obtenidos por medio de dos sistemas de posicionamiento global en actividades de desplazamiento humano

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (3 - 4) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Jeison Daniel Salazar Pachón ◽  
David Armando Chaparro Obando ◽  
Nicolás Tordi
Keyword(s):  
Global Positioning Systems ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
El Sistema

<p>El presente estudio examinó  la confiabilidad de los registros de dos sistemas de posicionamiento global (<em>global positioning systems  </em>[GPS]), Garmin310XT y FRWDB600,  sobre  las distancias  recorridas a diferentes  velocidades,  tras un protocolo a pie y otro  en bicicleta realizados  en una pista atlética.  Esta información se comparó con el trayecto  real de recorrido, hecho a partir  del cálculo: <em>ritmo de recorrido (r) = distancia recorrida (d) x tiempo  de recorri- do, </em>y se controló con un metrónomo Sport Beeper. Los participantes fueron dos jóvenes de edad  media  22 años  ± 1, activos  físicamente. En los resultados, se observaron diferencias  entre los registros de ambos sistemas GPS; el protocolo a pie Garmin tuvo un porcentaje de concordancia de 101,1%, mientras que FRWD presentó  103%. En el protocolo en bicicleta se obtuvo 103,4% y 101,6%, respectivamente. Se concluyó  que el uso de GPS es más fiable cuando  las velocidades  de desplazamiento humano son bajas  o moderadas  para  el sistema Garmin  (7-14 km/h), ya que al ser más altas la fiabilidad  de la información podría  ser menor, mientras  que el sistema FRWD presentó  mayor confiabilidad en velocidades moderadas (14-22 km/h).</p>

Confiabilidad de los registros obtenidos por medio de dos sistemas de posicionamiento global en actividades de desplazamiento humano

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Jeison Daniel Salazar Pachón ◽  
David Armando Chaparro Obando ◽  
Nicolás Tordi
Keyword(s):  
Global Positioning Systems ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
El Sistema

El presente estudio examinó  la confiabilidad de los registros de dos sistemas de posicionamiento global (<em>global positioning systems  </em>[GPS]), Garmin310XT y FRWDB600,  sobre  las distancias  recorridas a diferentes  velocidades,  tras un protocolo a pie y otro  en bicicleta realizados  en una pista atlética.  Esta información se comparó con el trayecto  real de recorrido, hecho a partir  del cálculo: <em>ritmo de recorrido (r) = distancia recorrida (d) x tiempo  de recorrido, </em>y se controló con un metrónomo Sport Beeper. Los participantes fueron dos jóvenes de edad  media  22 años  ± 1, activos  físicamente. En los resultados, se observaron diferencias  entre los registros de ambos sistemas GPS; el protocolo a pie Garmin tuvo un porcentaje de concordancia de 101,1%, mientras  que FRWD presentó  103%. En el protocolo en bicicleta se obtuvo 103,4% y 101,6%, respectivamente. Se concluyó  que el uso de GPS es más fiable cuando  las velocidades  de desplazamiento humano son bajas  o mo- deradas  para  el sistema Garmin  (7-14 km/h), ya que al ser más altas la fiabilidad  de la información podría  ser menor, mientras  que el sistema FRWD presentó  mayor confiabilidad en velocidades moderadas (14-22 km/h).

scholarly journals A Time-Based Objective Measure of Exposure to the Food Environment

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Scully ◽  
Anne Moudon ◽  
Philip Hurvitz ◽  
Anju Aggarwal ◽  
Adam Drewnowski
Keyword(s):  
Food Environment ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Objective Measure ◽  
Mobility Patterns ◽  
Time Duration ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Fast Food Restaurants ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
The Relationship

Exposure to food environments has mainly been limited to counting food outlets near participants’ homes. This study considers food environment exposures in time and space using global positioning systems (GPS) records and fast food restaurants (FFRs) as the environment of interest. Data came from 412 participants (median participant age of 45) in the Seattle Obesity Study II who completed a survey, wore GPS receivers, and filled out travel logs for seven days. FFR locations were obtained from Public Health Seattle King County and geocoded. Exposure was conceptualized as contact between stressors (FFRs) and receptors (participants’ mobility records from GPS data) using four proximities: 21 m, 100 m, 500 m, and ½ mile. Measures included count of proximal FFRs, time duration in proximity to ≥1 FFR, and time duration in proximity to FFRs weighted by FFR counts. Self-reported exposures (FFR visits) were excluded from these measures. Logistic regressions tested associations between one or more reported FFR visits and the three exposure measures at the four proximities. Time spent in proximity to an FFR was associated with significantly higher odds of FFR visits at all proximities. Weighted duration also showed positive associations with FFR visits at 21-m and 100-m proximities. FFR counts were not associated with FFR visits. Duration of exposure helps measure the relationship between the food environment, mobility patterns, and health behaviors. The stronger associations between exposure and outcome found at closer proximities (<100 m) need further research.

scholarly journals Using Different Combinations of Body-Mounted IMU Sensors to Estimate Speed of Horses—A Machine Learning Approach

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 798
Author(s):  
Hamed Darbandi ◽  
Filipe Serra Bragança ◽  
Berend Jan van der Zwaag ◽  
John Voskamp ◽  
Annik Imogen Gmel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
The Body ◽  
Biomechanical Analysis ◽  
Estimation Accuracy ◽  
Speed Estimation ◽  
Motion Patterns ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Machine Learning Approach ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Measurement Units

Speed is an essential parameter in biomechanical analysis and general locomotion research. It is possible to estimate the speed using global positioning systems (GPS) or inertial measurement units (IMUs). However, GPS requires a consistent signal connection to satellites, and errors accumulate during IMU signals integration. In an attempt to overcome these issues, we have investigated the possibility of estimating the horse speed by developing machine learning (ML) models using the signals from seven body-mounted IMUs. Since motion patterns extracted from IMU signals are different between breeds and gaits, we trained the models based on data from 40 Icelandic and Franches-Montagnes horses during walk, trot, tölt, pace, and canter. In addition, we studied the estimation accuracy between IMU locations on the body (sacrum, withers, head, and limbs). The models were evaluated per gait and were compared between ML algorithms and IMU location. The model yielded the highest estimation accuracy of speed (RMSE = 0.25 m/s) within equine and most of human speed estimation literature. In conclusion, highly accurate horse speed estimation models, independent of IMU(s) location on-body and gait, were developed using ML.

Wolf predation in a multiple-ungulate system in northern British Columbia

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (8) ◽  
pp. 1551-1569 ◽  
Author(s):  
A T Bergerud ◽  
J P Elliott
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Birth Rate ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Adult Mortality ◽  
Recruitment Rate ◽  
Wolf Predation ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Ovis Dalli ◽  
Hunting Statistics

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus), elk (Cervus canadensis), moose (Alces alces), and Stone's sheep (Ovis dalli stonei) were either decreasing or stable in numbers in two areas in northeastern British Columbia in 1981-1982, prior to reductions in wolf (Canis lupus) numbers. Following the reduction of wolf numbers, recruitment improved 2-5 times for all four species, and all populations increased, based on either hunting statistics, census results, and (or) recruitments greater than 24 offspring at 9 months of age per 100 females. Recruitment of offspring at 9 months of age, when regressed against wolf numbers, declined with decelerating slopes for all four species. This inverse functional response is hypothesized to result from the preparturient spacing of females to reduce predation risk, and in this regard moose seem the least secure and sheep the most effectively spaced. For the four species, mean recruitment at 9 months of age that balanced adult mortality and provided a finite rate of increase of 1.00 was 24.16 ± 0.91 offspring/100 females (n = 11, coefficient of variation = 12.5%). The predicted recruitment rate for all four species in the absence of wolves was 53-57 offspring/100 females. But the birth rate of moose was much higher than those of the other species, indicating greater loss to other factors of which bear predation may be the greatest. Following wolf reductions of 60-86% of entire travelling packs, the wolves quickly recolonized the removal zones, with rates of increase ranging from 1.5 to 5.6.

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