Abstract
Identification and classification of behavior states in animal movement data can be complex, temporally biased, time-intensive, scale-dependent, and unstandardized across studies and taxa. Large movement datasets are increasingly common and there is a need for efficient methods of data exploration that adjust to the individual variability of each track. We present the Residence in Space and Time (RST) method to classify behavior patterns in movement data based on the concept that behavior states can be partitioned by the amount of space and time occupied in an area of constant scale. Using normalized values of Residence Time and Residence Distance within a constant search radius, RST is able to differentiate behavior patterns that are time-intensive (e.g., rest), time & distance-intensive (e.g., area restricted search), and transit (short time and distance). We use grey-headed albatross (Thalassarche chrysostoma) GPS tracks to demonstrate RST’s ability to classify behavior patterns and adjust to the inherent scale and individuality of each track. Next, we evaluate RST’s ability to discriminate between behavior states relative to other classical movement metrics. We then temporally sub-sample albatross track data to illustrate RST’s response to less resolved data. Finally, we evaluate RST’s performance using datasets from four taxa with diverse ecology, functional scales, ecosystems, and data-types. We conclude that RST is a robust, rapid, and flexible method for detailed exploratory analysis and meta-analyses of behavioral states in animal movement data based on its ability to integrate distance and time measurements into one descriptive metric of behavior groupings. Given the increasing amount of animal movement data collected, it is timely and useful to implement a consistent metric of behavior classification to enable efficient and comparative analyses. Overall, the application of RST to objectively explore and compare behavior patterns in movement data can enhance our fine- and broad- scale understanding of animal movement ecology.
Highlights
Time and space are fundamental to animal ecology, as these factors limit and scale behavior patterns
Residence in Space and Time was provided by National Geographic Society Waitt Grant #W157-11; the African buffalo data collection was supported by NSF and National Institutes of Health Ecology of Infectious Disease program DEB0090323; collection of the Galapagos tortoise track was funded by the Max Plank Institute of Ornithology, NSF (1258062), The Galapagos Conservation Trust, Swiss Friends of Galapagos, and e-obs GmbH, Galapagos National Park, and The Charles Darwin Foundation; The blue whale research was conducted under U.S National Marine Fisheries Service permit No 369-1757 authorizing the close approach and deployment of implantable satellite tags on large whales, issued to Dr Bruce Mate
During nighttime, residence time (RT) values are elevated compared to residence distance (RD) values that remain at a more average value compared to daytime variation
Summary
Time and space are fundamental to animal ecology, as these factors limit and scale behavior patterns. Residence in Space and Time was provided by National Geographic Society Waitt Grant #W157-11; the African buffalo data collection was supported by NSF and National Institutes of Health Ecology of Infectious Disease program DEB0090323; collection of the Galapagos tortoise track was funded by the Max Plank Institute of Ornithology, NSF (1258062), The Galapagos Conservation Trust, Swiss Friends of Galapagos, and e-obs GmbH, Galapagos National Park, and The Charles Darwin Foundation; The blue whale research was conducted under U.S National Marine Fisheries Service permit No 369-1757 authorizing the close approach and deployment of implantable satellite tags on large whales, issued to Dr Bruce Mate. Support was provided by the Tagging of Pacific Pelagics (TOPP) program of the Census of Marine Life, the Office of Naval Research (Grants 9610608, 0010085 and 0310861), the National Science Foundation, the Alfred P. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ’author contributions’ section
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