Testing an autonomous acoustic telemetry positioning system for fine-scale space use in marine animals

• Published in: Journal of experimental marine biology and ecology 2013-10, Vol.448, p.46-56
• Main Authors: Biesinger, Zy, Bolker, Benjamin M., Marcinek, Douglas, Grothues, Thomas M., Dobarro, Joseph A., Lindberg, William J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acoustic telemetry; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Autonomous positioning; Autonomous underwater vehicle; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects. Techniques; Long-term tracking; Marine; Teledetection and vegetation maps; Telemetry capabilities; Telemetry limitations
• ISSN: 0022-0981; 1879-1697
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2013.06.007

We tested the capabilities and limitations of a novel autonomous acoustic positioning telemetry system with data from fifteen field deployments off the Florida coast. Telemetry array coverage areas ranged between 100 and 300m across. For fixed transmitters within the array, the fraction of transmissions leading to high-quality calculated position estimates averaged 44%, with wide variation. Positional accuracy was about 2m. The choice of filtering strictness represented a trade-off between the accuracy and frequency of positions. There was substantial temporal variation, but no clear pattern (e.g., daily or tidal correlations) in frequency of positions. There was no spatial bias within the array. Array performance for stationary transmitters was robust to user errors in sound speed and hydrophone position estimates. Performance was less robust for a transmitter attached to an autonomous underwater vehicle moving through the array, with 22% of transmissions leading to position estimates. Overall the system produced reliable results, but as the use of acoustic telemetry in complex ecological studies increases it is important to recognize technological requirements and limitations. •In 15 field tests we evaluated system robustness and temporal–spatial performance.•The system was robust to user error with fixes accurate to 2m over a 300m range.•The probability of obtaining fixes varied substantially through time.•The probability of obtaining fixes varied within the array but without spatial bias.•Researchers must interpret telemetry results aware of capabilities and limitations.