Dataset Identification:
Resource Abstract:
- description: To investigate the feasibility of using satellite-based remote sensing to study habitat use of polar bears {Ursus
aritimus), we compared distributions of satellite locations of radio-collared adult female bears to sea ice concentration
(percent ice coverage of 25 x 25 km grid cells) in the Bering and Chukchi Seas at intervals of 10-14 days from April 1990
through February 1991. Ice concentrations were calculated from daily images of surface brightness temperatures detected by
satellite-based passive microwave imaging {Special Sensor Microwave/Imager [SSM/I]). Limited precision of the satellite imagery
and radio-tracking data prevented us from investigating use of ice concentrations <1%, which bears commonly used during
late summer. Furthermore, lack of surface-truth data to support the ice classifications and the possibility of geolocation
errors in the SSM/I data indicate that our results must be considered with caution. However, our data suggested that habitat
use by female polar bears varied during the year. Most bears remained on the ice pack all year, and were widely distributed
during winter and spring, when seasonal ice covered much of the Bering and Chukchi Seas. During summer, bears were found most
often in areas with <SO% coverage of sea ice, and were rarely found in areas with >75% ice cover or in the interior
of the permanent ice pack. This pattern was reversed during winter, when bears never were found in areas with <50% ice
coverage. The data-gathering and management capabilities of remote sensing and GIS technologies present the opportunity to
include spatial and temporal changes as components of habitat studies, although limitations in accuracy and precision of remotely-sensed
habitat data must be addressed. Furthermore, current methods of analyzing data on use and availability of habitats do not
allow for changes in habitat type or availability.; abstract: To investigate the feasibility of using satellite-based remote
sensing to study habitat use of polar bears {Ursus aritimus), we compared distributions of satellite locations of radio-collared
adult female bears to sea ice concentration (percent ice coverage of 25 x 25 km grid cells) in the Bering and Chukchi Seas
at intervals of 10-14 days from April 1990 through February 1991. Ice concentrations were calculated from daily images of
surface brightness temperatures detected by satellite-based passive microwave imaging {Special Sensor Microwave/Imager [SSM/I]).
Limited precision of the satellite imagery and radio-tracking data prevented us from investigating use of ice concentrations
<1%, which bears commonly used during late summer. Furthermore, lack of surface-truth data to support the ice classifications
and the possibility of geolocation errors in the SSM/I data indicate that our results must be considered with caution. However,
our data suggested that habitat use by female polar bears varied during the year. Most bears remained on the ice pack all
year, and were widely distributed during winter and spring, when seasonal ice covered much of the Bering and Chukchi Seas.
During summer, bears were found most often in areas with <SO% coverage of sea ice, and were rarely found in areas with
>75% ice cover or in the interior of the permanent ice pack. This pattern was reversed during winter, when bears never
were found in areas with <50% ice coverage. The data-gathering and management capabilities of remote sensing and GIS technologies
present the opportunity to include spatial and temporal changes as components of habitat studies, although limitations in
accuracy and precision of remotely-sensed habitat data must be addressed. Furthermore, current methods of analyzing data on
use and availability of habitats do not allow for changes in habitat type or availability.
Citation
- Title Limitations of GIS and remote sensing for considering spatial and temporal change in studies of habitat use by polar bears.
-
- creation Date
2018-05-20T19:27:14.650831
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Metadata data stamp:
2018-08-06T23:36:54Z
Resource Maintenance Information
- maintenance or update frequency:
- notes: This metadata record was generated by an xslt transformation from a dc metadata record; Transform by Stephen M. Richard, based
on a transform by Damian Ulbricht. Run on 2018-08-06T23:36:54Z
Metadata contact
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pointOfContact
- organisation Name
CINERGI Metadata catalog
-
- Contact information
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- Address
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- electronic Mail Address cinergi@sdsc.edu
Metadata language
eng
Metadata character set encoding:
utf8
Metadata standard for this record:
ISO 19139 Geographic Information - Metadata - Implementation Specification
standard version:
2007
Metadata record identifier:
urn:dciso:metadataabout:d73f596b-fe88-494e-ad29-e130eabf2768
Metadata record format is ISO19139 XML (MD_Metadata)