1
Return

Three-Dimensional Correlated Random Walks for Animal Movement and Habitat Selection

delete2026-07-29
delete0
delete
OA
AI
N
Natasha J. Klappstein *
T
Théo Michelot
R
Ron R. Togunov
J
Joanna Mills Flemming
DOI:10.1111/ele.70414delete
deleteOriginal
deleteShare
deleteSave
View PDF
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Animal movement and habitat selection underpin important ecological phenomena, from individual behaviour to population-level distributions. Despite navigating three-dimensional space, animals' movement is typically measured and analysed on a two-dimensional plane, which limits our understanding of species that swim or fly. Therefore, we propose a step selection function (SSF) capable of quantifying animal movement and habitat selection in three dimensions. We formulate a very general family of three-dimensional correlated random walks, aimed at capturing unique features of three-dimensional data. Using Antarctic petrel data, we illustrate how these SSFs can be used to assess selection for vertically-stratified habitat, account for barriers (e.g., the ground or ocean surface), and model attraction to any number of directional targets. Our modelling framework provides a solid foundation for three-dimensional analyses, which will be crucial to answer ecological questions that would otherwise be ignored in two dimensions.
Keywords:
3D
animal movement
biased random walks
correlated random walks
habitat selection
Kent distribution
step selection function
telemetry data
three-dimensional
AI Summary

AI Summary

Key information extracted from the uploaded paper, including a brief overview, abstract, background, key highlights, visual analysis, and future outlook.

Journal

ECOLOGY LETTERS cover
ECOLOGY LETTERS
IF:
7.9
Papers:
4.4K
Citations:
4.0W

Organization

D
Dalhousie University
Scholars:
1.9W
Papers: 1.8W
Citations: 2.3W
N
norwegian university of science and technology
Scholars:
1.3K
Papers: 662
Citations: 1
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers