ECODATA : A toolbox to efficiently explore and communicate animal movements alongside environmental and anthropogenic context using geospatial big data

Abstract

Integrating complex geospatial data into research and applications for wildlife ecology remains a challenge. For example, animations of wildlife tracking data can be useful for developing hypotheses, communicating with stakeholders and infrastructure planning. Conveying an effective message often requires visualizing movements in relation to custom background layers, such as dynamic weather conditions or local transportation features. However, animations are commonly made using software that is easy to use but offers few options for input layers, thus limiting their impact. Alternatively, bespoke solutions require advanced programming skills that are not readily available for many ecologists. 2. We developed ECODATA, a suite of open-source tools to support exploration, analysis and visualization of animal movements and dynamic geospatial data layers. The tools do not require programming skills and guide users through the process of manipulating vector, raster and tabular data files to prepare inputs to custom animations or further analyses. The software was developed by a team of remote sensing experts, quantitative ecologists, wildlife managers and conservation practitioners. 3. We demonstrate the use of ECODATA through two examples. The first describes the use of the software to animate movements of elk (Cervus elaphus) and wolves (Canis lupus) in relation to roads, wildlife crossing structures and seasonal vegetation green-up near Banff National Park in Canada. The second illustrates the impact of the software on wildlife management, with an animation of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) movements and parturitions during the calving season. Both examples include processed remote sensing data and feature layers that provide relevant local context. 4. ECODATA offers a novel resource to explore and communicate animals' interactions with their environment, informing management decisions and conservation strategies. The flexible tools for geospatial data manipulation can be used for data visualization, as described here, or to create predictor variables for inclusion in habitat selection or other ecological models.