NOROCK scientists and collaborators are working to advance their tools of the trade. Specifically, weather radars, portable radars, thermal imaging cameras, and automated radio tracking are capable mature technologies, able to detect the movement patterns and other behaviors of flying animals at night and at distances far beyond the limits of human vision.
Use of automated field instrumentation allows for continuous, reliable, objective data collection. Moreover, automation frees talented and expensive human resources from conducting rote tasks. However, electronics-based technologies are part of fast moving industries with new advances in hardware and software emerging all constantly, leading to new capabilities waiting to be exploited. Consider, for example, the US network of weather radars and its ability to capture the movements of flying animals, not just precipitation. Today, this network automatically gathered and archived data and enables biologists to study the behavioral patterns of hundreds of millions of birds, bats, and insects at minimal cost. Scientists at NOROCK are leaders in harnessing the power of these radars to study flying animals in relation to their conservation and management. The days are already here when a biologist sitting in Delaware can study the habitat use patterns of waterfowl in California without ever leaving their seat.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Realizing the biological potential of weather radar
Radar Technology - A Tool for Understanding Migratory Aerofauna
NOROCK's Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Program
- Overview
NOROCK scientists and collaborators are working to advance their tools of the trade. Specifically, weather radars, portable radars, thermal imaging cameras, and automated radio tracking are capable mature technologies, able to detect the movement patterns and other behaviors of flying animals at night and at distances far beyond the limits of human vision.
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. Visit Media to see details.Researchers set up radar equipment at dusk near Horicon National Wildlife Refuge in east-central Wisconsin.Image courtesy of J. Bartholmai. Use of automated field instrumentation allows for continuous, reliable, objective data collection. Moreover, automation frees talented and expensive human resources from conducting rote tasks. However, electronics-based technologies are part of fast moving industries with new advances in hardware and software emerging all constantly, leading to new capabilities waiting to be exploited. Consider, for example, the US network of weather radars and its ability to capture the movements of flying animals, not just precipitation. Today, this network automatically gathered and archived data and enables biologists to study the behavioral patterns of hundreds of millions of birds, bats, and insects at minimal cost. Scientists at NOROCK are leaders in harnessing the power of these radars to study flying animals in relation to their conservation and management. The days are already here when a biologist sitting in Delaware can study the habitat use patterns of waterfowl in California without ever leaving their seat.
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Realizing the biological potential of weather radar
The modern use of field deployed remote sensors generates large amounts of environmental data on natural systems, and this benefits natural sciences. Today’s automated sensors are fast, run nearly continuously, eliminate the need for “people power”, are cost effective to operate and maintain, and monitor the environment in ways humans cannot. The US network of more than 200 weather radars, the...Radar Technology - A Tool for Understanding Migratory Aerofauna
Understanding the factors affecting migratory bird and bat populations during all three phases of their life cycle—breeding, non-breeding, and migration—is critical to species conservation planning. This includes the need for information about these species’ responses to natural challenges, as well as information about the impact of human activities that alter resources critical to migrants during...NOROCK's Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Program
Scientists at NOROCK are actively exploring the use of small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) for sensor testing and scientific data collection. We are using the same sUAS deployed by the US Department of Defense. These systems have proven their utility in reconnaissance missions and are now finding a second life in scientific research. - News