Improving and Extending Home Range and Habitat Analysis by Integration with a Geographic Information System |
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| Authors: | Scott W Selkirk & Ian D Bishop |
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| Institution: | Department of Geomatics, University of Melbourne,;Centre for Geographics Information Systems and Modelling, University of Melbourne |
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| Abstract: | The minimum convex polygon and fixed kernel techniques for analysing animal home range (HR), and the Schoener index independence test, are integrated as functions into the ArcView GIS. The ArcView Spatial Analyst, 3DAnalyst, SmartImage, Movement and Xtools extensions are used, as is the Avenue customization language. HR is calculated in surface area and presented over a virtual model of the landscape. The efficiency of HR analysis, interpretation and understanding is greatly improved within a GIS, eliminating the need to engage in the traditional multi-procedural approach using external packages. A case study is undertaken using observational data from four eastern grey kangaroos ( Macropus giganteus ). The GIS, through use of query and partitioning functionality, enables a deeper understanding of the parameters influencing each HR estimate. Geo-referenced multiple data overlay is shown to significantly enhance comparison of estimates of more than one animal and the identification of error. |
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