Remote sensing as a tool to analyse lizard's behaviour

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2016

Authors

Dos Santos, R (Author) Other; Ana Teodoro (Author) FCUP; carretero, ma (Author) FCUP; sillero, n (Author) FCUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: REMOTE SENSING FOR AGRICULTURE, ECOSYSTEMS, AND HYDROLOGY XVIII

Conference on Remote Sensing for Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Hydrology XVIII

Edinburgh, SCOTLAND, SEP 26-28, 2016

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

Scopus - 1 Citation

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-DZY

DOI: 10.1117/12.2241093

Abstract (EN): Although the spatial context is expected to be a major influence in the interactions among organisms and their environment, it is commonly ignored in ecological studies. This study is part of an investigation on home ranges and their influence in the escape behaviour of Iberian lizards. Fieldwork was conducted inside a 400 m(2) mesocosm, using three acclimatized adult male individuals. In order to perform analyses at this local scale, tools with high spatial accuracy are needed. A total of 3016 GPS points were recorded and processed into a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), with a pixel resolution of 2 cm. Then, 1156 aerial photos were taken and processed to create an orthophoto. A refuge map, containing possible locations for retreats was generated with supervised image classification algorithms, obtaining four classes (refuges, vegetation, bare soil and organic soil). Furthermore, 50 data-loggers were randomly placed, recording evenly through the area temperature and humidity every 15'. After a month of recording, all environmental variables were interpolated using Kriging. The study area presented an irregular elevation. The humidity varied according to the topography and the temperature presented a West-East pattern. Both variables are of paramount importance for lizard activity and performance. In a predation risk scenario, a lizard located in a temperature close to its thermal optimum will be able to escape more efficiently. Integration of such ecologically relevant elements in a spatial context exemplifies how remote sensing tools can contribute to improve inference in behavioural ecology.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10