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Argos Satellite Tracking Data for Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus) - Processed Data

Data Download [8.7MB] | Metadata | AK Science Portal | Project Site | Date Range: 07/15/2008 - 09/25/2012


This metadata document describes the data contained in the "processedData" folder of this data package. This data package contains all data collected by the Argos System from 50 satellite transmitters attached to Tundra Swans on their breeding range in arctic and western Alaska, 2008. The raw data were processed to accomplish two goals: flag implausible location estimates and decode raw sensor data. Three Comma Separate Value (CSV) tables are included in the "processedData" folder of this data package: 1) the "diag_filteredLocations" table contains one record for every location estimate collected, accompanied by a binary flag that denotes an algorithm's plausibility check. Each record also includes a 'Tracking_Status' variable that denotes whether the location was collected from a live animal, a dead animal, or shed transmitter, 2) the "decodedSensor" table contains decoded sensor data such as a transmitter's temperature, battery voltage, and motion (activity), and 3) the "deploymentAttributes" table contains one record for each transmitter deployment in a CSV formatted table. The deployment attributes file contains information such as when the transmitter was attached to the animal, when tracking of a live animal ended, and a variety of variables describing the animal and transmitter. This table is identical to the "deploymentAttributes" table in the "rawData" folder of this data package.

Author(s): Ely, C. R.; Terenzi, J.; Tibbitts, T. L.; Douglas, D. C.

Suggested Citation:
Ely, C. R., Terenzi, J., Tibbitts, T. L. and Douglas, D. C., 2020, Tracking data for Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus) (ver. 1.0, January 2020): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KBR79C.

Version History:
First release: January 2020

Referenced Publication(s):

Ramey, A. M., C. R. Ely, J. A. Schmutz, J. M. Pearce, and D. J. Heard. 2012. Molecular detection of hematozoa infections in tundra swans relative to migration patterns and ecological conditions at breeding grounds. PLoS One 7(9):e45789. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045789

Ely, C. R., W. J. L. Sladen, H. M. Wilson, S. E. Savage, K. M. Sowl, B. Henry, M. Schwitters, and J. Snowden. 2014. Delineation of Tundra Swan Cygnus c. columbianus populations in North America: Geographic boundaries and interchange. Wildfowl 64:132-147.

Ely, C. R. and J. C. Franson. 2014. Blood lead concentrations in Alaskan Tundra Swans: linking breeding and wintering areas with satellite telemetry. Ecotoxicology 23(3):349-356.

Ely, C. R. and B. W. Meixell. 2016. Demographic outcomes of diverse migration strategies assessed in a metapopulation of tundra swans. Movement Ecology. doi:10.1186/s40462-016-0075-8


DataID: 275 | doi:10.5066/P9KBR79C | Date Posted Online: 2020-01-22 | Last Updated: 2020-01-27 14:50:35

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