JSM 2004 - Toronto

Abstract #300121

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Activity Number: 173
Type: Invited
Date/Time: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
Sponsor: Section on Statistics and the Environment
Abstract - #300121
Title: State-space Models for Leatherback Turtle Migration
Author(s): Christopher Field*+ and Joanna Flemming and Ian Jonsen and Ransom Myers and Mike James
Companies: Dalhousie University and University of Geneva and Dalhousie University and Dalhousie University and Dalhousie University
Address: Mathematics and Statistics, Halifax, NS, B3H 3J5, Canada
Keywords: state-space models ; animal migration ; leatherback turtle ; robustness
Abstract:

We discuss methods for analyzing animal trajectory data based on satellite tracking devices. To address the complexity of animal/environment interaction, and to accommodate the measurement error and process noise inherent in trajectory data, state-space models provide an appropriate mechanism. A state-space model focused specifically on quantifying the underlying navigational mechanisms inherent in animal movements is proposed for modeling the behavior of animals who are migrating, often over large distances. We utilize the term Circle of Confusion, first proposed by Kendall (1974), to describe the imprecision of animals in following a desired course. The modeling strategy enables us to statistically describe the Circle of Confusion, and allows us to build in robustness to deal with the outlying observations that characterize this type of data. One specific goal is to improve knowledge of the navigational abilities of the endangered leatherback turtles, something which has traditionally been poorly understood.

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