Student Work

Evaluating environmental interference in outdoor automated radio telemetry systems

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Automated radio telemetry systems are a useful tool in tracking the activity and movement of wild animals. However, the habitats these radio networks are placed in can vary, affecting the signal strength received from tagged species. To investigate the influence of surrounding environments on automated radio signaling, this project was conducted at a restored and managed pine barrens habitat that consisted of a mix of mature pitch pine, treated pitch pine, scrub oak, and hardwood forests. This site, Montague Plains Wildlife Management Area, Montague, Massachusetts, is also a known breeding ground for Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus). The telemetry system nodes and radio tags produced by Cellular Tracking Technologies were used to measure the relationship of radio signal strength over multiple distances across each habitat. Exponential decay functions measuring radio signal strength over distance were produced from the data points collected, and an analysis was used to determine the impact of differing habitat types on radio signal readings. The exponential decay functions by habitat type significantly differed from each other, suggesting that habitats do vary in how they impact radio signal readings. From this study, it is suggested that habitats with more dense foliage between nodes and tags tend to have weaker radio signal readings, and require greater calibration adjustment for tracking animals crossing between habitats. As an example adjustment for this effect, we estimated known GPS locations with and without habitat calibration to compare which model was more accurate. With the trilateration estimates used for this study, the habitat adjustment did not appear to be statistically different from estimates without adjustment.

  • This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.
Creator
Publisher
Identifier
  • 90546
  • E-project-030223-143709
Keyword
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Year
  • 2023
Sponsor
Date created
  • 2023-03-02
Resource type
Major
Source
  • E-project-030223-143709
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Last modified
  • 2023-05-03

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