Polar bears from space: assessing satellite imagery as a tool to track Arctic wildlife.

Development of efficient techniques for monitoring wildlife is a priority in the Arctic, where the impacts of climate change are acute and remoteness and logistical constraints hinder access. We evaluated high resolution satellite imagery as a tool to track the distribution and abundance of polar be...

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Main Authors: Seth Stapleton, Michelle LaRue, Nicolas Lecomte, Stephen Atkinson, David Garshelis, Claire Porter, Todd Atwood
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2014-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4090068?pdf=render
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spelling doaj-0f9307e0a36549d89aedbe39f5c7f1912020-11-25T00:47:03ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032014-01-0197e10151310.1371/journal.pone.0101513Polar bears from space: assessing satellite imagery as a tool to track Arctic wildlife.Seth StapletonMichelle LaRueNicolas LecomteStephen AtkinsonDavid GarshelisClaire PorterTodd AtwoodDevelopment of efficient techniques for monitoring wildlife is a priority in the Arctic, where the impacts of climate change are acute and remoteness and logistical constraints hinder access. We evaluated high resolution satellite imagery as a tool to track the distribution and abundance of polar bears. We examined satellite images of a small island in Foxe Basin, Canada, occupied by a high density of bears during the summer ice-free season. Bears were distinguished from other light-colored spots by comparing images collected on different dates. A sample of ground-truthed points demonstrated that we accurately classified bears. Independent observers reviewed images and a population estimate was obtained using mark-recapture models. This estimate (N: 94; 95% Confidence Interval: 92-105) was remarkably similar to an abundance estimate derived from a line transect aerial survey conducted a few days earlier (N: 102; 95% CI: 69-152). Our findings suggest that satellite imagery is a promising tool for monitoring polar bears on land, with implications for use with other Arctic wildlife. Large scale applications may require development of automated detection processes to expedite review and analysis. Future research should assess the utility of multi-spectral imagery and examine sites with different environmental characteristics.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4090068?pdf=render
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Seth Stapleton
Michelle LaRue
Nicolas Lecomte
Stephen Atkinson
David Garshelis
Claire Porter
Todd Atwood
spellingShingle Seth Stapleton
Michelle LaRue
Nicolas Lecomte
Stephen Atkinson
David Garshelis
Claire Porter
Todd Atwood
Polar bears from space: assessing satellite imagery as a tool to track Arctic wildlife.
PLoS ONE
author_facet Seth Stapleton
Michelle LaRue
Nicolas Lecomte
Stephen Atkinson
David Garshelis
Claire Porter
Todd Atwood
author_sort Seth Stapleton
title Polar bears from space: assessing satellite imagery as a tool to track Arctic wildlife.
title_short Polar bears from space: assessing satellite imagery as a tool to track Arctic wildlife.
title_full Polar bears from space: assessing satellite imagery as a tool to track Arctic wildlife.
title_fullStr Polar bears from space: assessing satellite imagery as a tool to track Arctic wildlife.
title_full_unstemmed Polar bears from space: assessing satellite imagery as a tool to track Arctic wildlife.
title_sort polar bears from space: assessing satellite imagery as a tool to track arctic wildlife.
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
series PLoS ONE
issn 1932-6203
publishDate 2014-01-01
description Development of efficient techniques for monitoring wildlife is a priority in the Arctic, where the impacts of climate change are acute and remoteness and logistical constraints hinder access. We evaluated high resolution satellite imagery as a tool to track the distribution and abundance of polar bears. We examined satellite images of a small island in Foxe Basin, Canada, occupied by a high density of bears during the summer ice-free season. Bears were distinguished from other light-colored spots by comparing images collected on different dates. A sample of ground-truthed points demonstrated that we accurately classified bears. Independent observers reviewed images and a population estimate was obtained using mark-recapture models. This estimate (N: 94; 95% Confidence Interval: 92-105) was remarkably similar to an abundance estimate derived from a line transect aerial survey conducted a few days earlier (N: 102; 95% CI: 69-152). Our findings suggest that satellite imagery is a promising tool for monitoring polar bears on land, with implications for use with other Arctic wildlife. Large scale applications may require development of automated detection processes to expedite review and analysis. Future research should assess the utility of multi-spectral imagery and examine sites with different environmental characteristics.
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4090068?pdf=render
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