Determining Stingray Movement Patterns in a Wave-Swept Coastal Zone Using a Blimp for Continuous Aerial Video Surveillance
Stingrays play a key role in the regulation of nearshore ecosystems. However, their movement ecology in high-energy surf areas remains largely unknown due to the notorious difficulties in conducting research in these environments. Using a blimp as an aerial platform for video surveillance, we overca...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-09-01
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| Series: | Fishes |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/5/4/31 |
| _version_ | 1797552144440623104 |
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| author | David Ruiz-García Kye Adams Heidi Brown Andrew R. Davis |
| author_facet | David Ruiz-García Kye Adams Heidi Brown Andrew R. Davis |
| author_sort | David Ruiz-García |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Stingrays play a key role in the regulation of nearshore ecosystems. However, their movement ecology in high-energy surf areas remains largely unknown due to the notorious difficulties in conducting research in these environments. Using a blimp as an aerial platform for video surveillance, we overcame some of the limitations of other tracking methods, such as the use of tags and drones. This novel technology offered near-continuous coverage to characterise the fine-scale movements of stingrays in a surf area in Kiama, Australia, without any invasive procedures. A total of 98 stingray tracks were recorded, providing 6 h 27 min of movement paths. The tracking data suggest that stingrays may use a depth gradient located in the sandflat area of the bay for orientating their movements and transiting between locations within their home range. Our research also indicates that stingray behaviour was influenced by diel periods and tidal states. We observed a higher stingray occurrence during the afternoon, potentially related to foraging and anti-predatory strategies. We also saw a reduced route fidelity during low tide, when the bathymetric reference was less accessible due to stranding risk. Considering the increasing threat of anthropogenic development to nearshore coastal environments, the identification of these patterns can better inform the management and mitigation of threats. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:56:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4ea466d3b91747b3b937db2aad505665 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2410-3888 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:56:43Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Fishes |
| spelling | doaj.art-4ea466d3b91747b3b937db2aad5056652023-11-20T15:37:26ZengMDPI AGFishes2410-38882020-09-015431010.3390/fishes5040031Determining Stingray Movement Patterns in a Wave-Swept Coastal Zone Using a Blimp for Continuous Aerial Video SurveillanceDavid Ruiz-García0Kye Adams1Heidi Brown2Andrew R. Davis3Marine Zoology Unit, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Universitat de València, 46980 València, SpainSchool of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong NSW 2522, AustraliaSchool of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong NSW 2522, AustraliaSchool of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong NSW 2522, AustraliaStingrays play a key role in the regulation of nearshore ecosystems. However, their movement ecology in high-energy surf areas remains largely unknown due to the notorious difficulties in conducting research in these environments. Using a blimp as an aerial platform for video surveillance, we overcame some of the limitations of other tracking methods, such as the use of tags and drones. This novel technology offered near-continuous coverage to characterise the fine-scale movements of stingrays in a surf area in Kiama, Australia, without any invasive procedures. A total of 98 stingray tracks were recorded, providing 6 h 27 min of movement paths. The tracking data suggest that stingrays may use a depth gradient located in the sandflat area of the bay for orientating their movements and transiting between locations within their home range. Our research also indicates that stingray behaviour was influenced by diel periods and tidal states. We observed a higher stingray occurrence during the afternoon, potentially related to foraging and anti-predatory strategies. We also saw a reduced route fidelity during low tide, when the bathymetric reference was less accessible due to stranding risk. Considering the increasing threat of anthropogenic development to nearshore coastal environments, the identification of these patterns can better inform the management and mitigation of threats.https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/5/4/31aerostatUAVblimpspatial ecologybehaviourbatoid |
| spellingShingle | David Ruiz-García Kye Adams Heidi Brown Andrew R. Davis Determining Stingray Movement Patterns in a Wave-Swept Coastal Zone Using a Blimp for Continuous Aerial Video Surveillance Fishes aerostat UAV blimp spatial ecology behaviour batoid |
| title | Determining Stingray Movement Patterns in a Wave-Swept Coastal Zone Using a Blimp for Continuous Aerial Video Surveillance |
| title_full | Determining Stingray Movement Patterns in a Wave-Swept Coastal Zone Using a Blimp for Continuous Aerial Video Surveillance |
| title_fullStr | Determining Stingray Movement Patterns in a Wave-Swept Coastal Zone Using a Blimp for Continuous Aerial Video Surveillance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Determining Stingray Movement Patterns in a Wave-Swept Coastal Zone Using a Blimp for Continuous Aerial Video Surveillance |
| title_short | Determining Stingray Movement Patterns in a Wave-Swept Coastal Zone Using a Blimp for Continuous Aerial Video Surveillance |
| title_sort | determining stingray movement patterns in a wave swept coastal zone using a blimp for continuous aerial video surveillance |
| topic | aerostat UAV blimp spatial ecology behaviour batoid |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/5/4/31 |
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