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Argos Satellite Tracking Data for Black Scoters (Melanitta americana) - Processed Data

Data Download [5.1MB] | Metadata | AK Science Portal | Project Site | Date Range: 04/11/2003 - 02/02/2007


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 53 satellite transmitters attached to Black Scoters on their breeding and winter ranges in western Alaska, 2003-2007. 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): Flint, P. L.; Schamber, J. L.; Douglas, D. C.

Suggested Citation:
Flint, P. L., Schamber, J. L. and Douglas, D. C., 2020, Tracking data for Black Scoters (Melanitta americana): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P93EF3TH.

Referenced Publication(s):

Pearce, J. M., P. L. Flint, M. E. Whalen, S. A. Sonsthagen, J. Stiller, V. P. Patil, T. D. Bowman, S. Boyd, S. S. Badzinski, H. G. Gilchrist, S. G. Gilliland, C. Lepage, P. Loring, D. McAuley, N. McLellan, J. Osenkowski, E. T. Reed, A. J. Roberts, M. Robertson, T. C. Rothe, D. E. Safine, E. D. Silverman, and K. A. Spragens. 2019. Visualizing Populations of North American Sea Ducks: Maps to Guide Research and Management Planning. USGS Open-File Report 2019-1142, 50 p. doi:10.3133/ofr20191142

Flint, P. L. 2013. Changes in size and trends of North American sea duck populations associated with North Pacific oceanic regime shifts. Marine Biology 160:59-65. doi:10.1007/s00227-012-2062-y

Schamber, J. L., F. J. Broerman, and P. L. Flint. 2010. Reproductive ecology and habitat use of Pacific Black Scoters (Melanitta nigra americana) nesting on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska. Journal of the Waterbird Society 33(2):129-271.


DataID: 289 | doi:10.5066/P93EF3TH | Date Posted Online: 2020-03-23 | Last Updated: 2020-03-23 20:48:46

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