International, Littoral Bird Tagging, Physical Oceanographic Measurements, Data Assimilative Modeling As Part of the Distributed, Autonomous, Scalable, Hydrographic Charting and METOC Sampling DRI
Abstract
We propose to execute an extensive marine bird tagging operation in littoral regions within theU.S. and at international locations in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of attaching sensorsto marine birds to collect oceanographic data over broad coastal regions and over long periods oftime. A parallel benefit of this effort will be a significant advance in the understanding of marinebird ecology, littoral habitat preferences, and individual foraging behavior. Sensors on the tagswill include combinations of GPS, temperature, conductivity, and pressure sensors and inertialmeasurement units (IMU). Tag batteries will be charged with solar cells, allowing for longdeployments (3-6 months). Data transmission will be accomplished with either 3G GSM (cellphone) communication or through VHF base stations. Both transmission methods will allow fortwo-way communication and remote programming of tags. The data collected from marine birdswill be used to quantify spatial and temporal variability in physical oceanographic parameters --specifically, vertical profiles of temperature and salinity, surface currents, bathymetricsoundings, surface gravity wave statistics, and air/sea temperature contrast. In addition, we willdemonstrate the value of assimilating data from tagged marine birds and satellite data products(wave statistics and surface currents) in increasing the skill in numerical models to simulatesurface gravity waves, currents, temperature and salinity and the utility of numerical models andassimilated tagged marine bird and satellite data to estimate bathymetry in littoral regions aroundthe globe. These rich biologging datasets sets will also allow us to explore several areas ofmarine ornithology, including foraging behavior, dive physiology, species distributions, and thethe influence of dynamic oceanographic features on these phenomena. Efficient and automatedprocessing algorithms, including error estimates, will be developed for oceanographic dataproducts from tag sensor measurements. Raw data and processed data products will be served innear-real-time to oceanographic and wildlife science communities and archived through acollaboration with the NOAA Animal Telemetry Network. A central objective of this work is tobuild the capacity (tag design, deployment methodology, automated processing methods, andinternational collaborations) for operational deployment of tags on marine birds in littoralregions over the globe and demonstrate the cost efficiency and value of oceanographicmeasurements from marine birds, particularly in remote regions
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 13, 2019
- Source ID
- N000141912218
Entities
People
- James Lerczak
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Oregon State University
- United States Navy