By providing an unparalleled communication and sensory platform, QuRiNet is challenging environmental scientists to advance their fields with novel applications of existing and emerging technologies. Applications of the network currently include the study of existing vegetation patterns and those created by wildfires, description of seasonal and diurnal patterns of bats, study of timing of bird migration and response to a variety of environmental cues, and examination of amphibian population responses to long-term climate trends. Research tools in place or in development include:
- Automated Animal-Tracking
A new initiative, funded in 2008 by the NSF FSML program, is integrating a next-generation automated animal telemetry system into the existing wireless infrastructure, allowing real-time tracking of animal movements, interactions, and physiology. Several nodes of the QuRiNet infrastructure will be enhanced with specialized receivers and antennas. Automated animal telemetry provides continuous real-time tracking (from remote locations) of animals fitted with transmitters. The transmitters may be very small in size (<1 cm in length and <1 g), are relatively low in cost, and may be equipped with other sensors such as microphones or heart rate monitors. In comparison, GPS technology also allows high-precision monitoring of animal movements, but is limited in its applications by high cost, lack of real time data capability, and large transmitter size precluding use on smaller animals.
The animal tracking array at Quail Ridge Reserve will be functionally similar to the Automated Radio Telemetry System (ARTS) at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute on Barro Colorado Island, Panama , which has allowed previously unfeasible continuous monitoring of animal activities and interactions. Using such systems, the positions of animals fitted with transmitters can be determined by triangulation when they are in range of multiple receiver stations.
The Quail Ridge animal telemetry network will have several features that distinguish it from the ARTS on Barro Colorado, besides its wireless internet platform. A new generation of receivers with the capacity to sample continuously, rather than once per minute, will tremendously increase the precision of triangulation calculations. The more open vegetative structure on the Quail Ridge Reserve should also increase the ease tracking of animal movements. Additionally, the high concentration of receivers we will deploy in a relatively small area should further increase the accuracy of animal position measurements. This factor is critically important when following small animals, as relatively short distance movements may have great import in relation to foraging, finding mates, habitat choice, and avoiding predators. Data from the Quail Ridge system will be integrated into Movebank, an NSF-sponsored animal movement database. Data collected by the network are then streamed to the web, where researchers, instructors and students have instant access.
- Acoustic Monitoring
A four-microphone Avisoft bio-acoustic monitoring system covering both audible and ultra-sonic ranges is currently deployed at the reserve. This state-of-the-art equipment records high quality .wav files that can be easily be viewed as spectrograms. We are using this system to identify bat species and quantify their habitat usage and to detect the timing and numbers of migratory song birds. Additionally, the sensor has the capability to be used in concert with the animal tracking system to correlate vocalizations of both predators and songbirds with movements and physiological responses. We plan to expand this system to cover more areas of the reserve.
- Habitat Parameter Long-Term Measurement Tools
Two-way communication allows reserve staff to deploy and manage a number of meteorological stations throughout the reserve and on a buoy on Lake Berryessa. Managers can download data, be alerted to any sensor errors, and adjust parameters remotely using the mesh network. These data are automatically processed and stored in a database. The "remote" capabilities of QuRiNet is essential to making management of large arrays of sensors and stations feasible.
- Video Monitoring
There are a number of current and potential opportunities for video monitoring on the reserve, including IP cameras, video servers, networked trail cameras. Currently, IP cameras are being used to keep a phenological record of a number of plants by taking scheduled photographs at the same angle and zoom throughout the year. This record can be used to compare timing of flowering or leaf-out year-to-year or to compare timing with other sites throughout the state. Video servers are planned to monitor the use of ponds by California Newts. With strategically-placed driftnets and motion-triggered cameras, we will be able to account for the number of newts using each pond and their success in breeding. Networked trail cameras have not yet been deployed at the reserve, but they could be coordinated into the use of animal tracking and acoustic recording to provide video or still pictures.
- Other potential areas
Network of tree sap sensors; Soil sensor arrays;