Open AccessThinking small: Next-generation sensor networks close the size gap in vertebrate biologging
Author(s) -
Simon Ripperger,
Gerald Carter,
Rachel A. Page,
Niklas Duda,
Alexander Koelpin,
Robert Weigel,
Markus Hartmann,
Thorsten Nowak,
Jörn Thielecke,
Michael Schadhauser,
J. M. Robert,
Sebastian Herbst,
Klaus Meyer-Wegener,
Peter Wägemann,
Wolfgang Schröder-Preikschat,
Björn Cassens,
Rüdiger Kapitza,
Falko Dressler,
Frieder Mayer
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.127
H-Index - 271
eISSN - 1545-7885
pISSN - 1544-9173
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000655
Subject(s) - wireless sensor network , tracking (education) , biotelemetry , animal behavior , biology , high resolution , wireless , real time computing , computer science , remote sensing , telecommunications , telemetry , psychology , computer network , pedagogy , zoology , geology
Recent advances in animal tracking technology have ushered in a new era in biologging. However, the considerable size of many sophisticated biologging devices restricts their application to larger animals, whereas older techniques often still represent the state-of-the-art for studying small vertebrates. In industrial applications, low-power wireless sensor networks (WSNs) fulfill requirements similar to those needed to monitor animal behavior at high resolution and at low tag mass. We developed a wireless biologging network (WBN), which enables simultaneous direct proximity sensing, high-resolution tracking, and long-range remote data download at tag masses of 1 to 2 g. Deployments to study wild bats created social networks and flight trajectories of unprecedented quality. Our developments highlight the vast capabilities of WBNs and their potential to close an important gap in biologging: fully automated tracking and proximity sensing of small animals, even in closed habitats, at high spatial and temporal resolution.