Keywords
smart phone application, citizen science, whale watching, community-based participatory research, climate adaptation
Location
Session A4: Smart and Mobile Devices Used for Environmental Applications
Start Date
18-6-2014 9:00 AM
End Date
18-6-2014 10:20 AM
Abstract
Whale watching is undertaken by millions of tourists every year around the world and forms an important industry for a number of countries. Recent changes in migration patterns of whales in particular Humpback whales maybe attributed to climate change. Identifying movement and resting spots of whales can provide opportunities for adaptation of the whale watch industry in times of uncertainty. Such tracking of movements and activities of whales can be collected using smart phones. Smart phones are a readily available technology and capable of complex computations. They have abilities required for tracking including GPS location, maps and a compass function. Here an application that incorporates the complexities of ocean surveying with a simplistic interface so that a wide range of users can apply the program was developed. This was accomplished by use of a simple interface, which incorporated the acquisition of a user’s latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates, calculating the bearing of a whale to a user, and sending the data to an online spreadsheet from which a Geographic Information System (GIS) routine can calculate tracks.
Included in
Civil Engineering Commons, Data Storage Systems Commons, Environmental Engineering Commons, Other Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons
Whale Trails - a smart phone application for whale tracking
Session A4: Smart and Mobile Devices Used for Environmental Applications
Whale watching is undertaken by millions of tourists every year around the world and forms an important industry for a number of countries. Recent changes in migration patterns of whales in particular Humpback whales maybe attributed to climate change. Identifying movement and resting spots of whales can provide opportunities for adaptation of the whale watch industry in times of uncertainty. Such tracking of movements and activities of whales can be collected using smart phones. Smart phones are a readily available technology and capable of complex computations. They have abilities required for tracking including GPS location, maps and a compass function. Here an application that incorporates the complexities of ocean surveying with a simplistic interface so that a wide range of users can apply the program was developed. This was accomplished by use of a simple interface, which incorporated the acquisition of a user’s latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates, calculating the bearing of a whale to a user, and sending the data to an online spreadsheet from which a Geographic Information System (GIS) routine can calculate tracks.
