ACCURACY OF AERIAL TELEMETRY LOCATIONS IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN

GLEN F. GANTZ, InterWest Wildlife and Ecological Services, Inc., 11255 North 2000 East, Richmond, UT 84333
L. CHARLES STODDART, Denver Wildlife Research Center, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-5295


Abstract: We measured the accuracy of an aerial telemetry system in the Bear River mountains of northern Utah and southern Idaho. We determined accuracy by comparing known and estimated transmitter locations. Accuracy (x = 89 m) may have improved with observer/pilot experience. Variations in accuracy can be attributed to evaluation apprehension, weather, air turbulence, altitude above terrain, and identifiability of topographic features. Among terrain types (flats, canyons, ridges, and hillsides) we were able to locate transmitters on ridges more accurately than in canyons (P = 0.01). The observer/pilot's categorical prediction of how accurately he located each transmitter (very good, good, fair, and poor) was related (P = 0.01) to observed error.


Fig. 2. Relationship of mean aerial telemetry location erro and the observer/pilot's prediction of how well he located transmitters in the Bear River mountains, northern Utah and southeastern Idaho, 1987-89. Sample size is indicated above each point. ME = 20.15e 0.630P, r = 0.98

 

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