Moving wildlife tracking forward under forested conditions with the SWIFT GPS algorithm

Abstract The remote collection of animal location data has proliferated in recent decades, and higher-frequency are increasingly available with battery-saving optimisations such as ‘snapshot’ algorithms that acquire GPS satellite post-process locations off-board. This is the first study to assess effects vegetation topography on fix success rate error global positioning system (GPS) devices use SWIFT algorithm, developed by Lotek. To (FSR—the proportion successful fixes compared total number attempts) (LE), we conducted a stationary test at predominately forested site South Island New Zealand. overall FSR was 83% (± 15.3% SD), which affected strongly canopy closure above 90%. Half were within 8.65 m true location, 79.7% 30 m, 95% 271 m. When 6 or more satellites used, this reduced 4.92 18.6 for 50% 95%, respectively. Horizontal dilution precision (HDOP), satellites, all influenced error. field devices, deployed them forest-dwelling parrots 2 3-h intervals, showed similar results when cavity-nesting individuals removed (FSR mean ± SD = 81.6 5.0%). lasted an average 147 days before depleting battery, resulting 1087 per individual time 9.38 s ephemeris, 3.73 attempted mAh battery PinPoint 350 devices. Our provides baseline rates errors under conditions can be used future tracking studies.