Environmental Science & Ecology Research Highlighted on “Meateater”
Dr. Jacob Straub and graduate student, Daria Sparks, recently had their work highlighted by Meateater. The research within the Department of Environmental Science and Ecology is part of a multi-state and international collaboration to study movement ecology, habitat use, and population decline in eastern North American mallards.
The study has garnered much interest given its investment in cellular technology to track waterfowl. The research is part of a multi-state and international collaboration to study movement ecology, habitat use, and population decline in eastern North American mallards. The study relies on affixing global positioning systems tracking devices that communicate with and transfer data via cellular phone tower technology. To date, the researchers have deployed 640 of these transmitters with 600 more scheduled in the next two years.
The article, which is titled “Your Cell Phone Data is Saving Ducks,” was published in late August and provided a summary and the implications of their research. Meateater is an internationally recognized TV show, podcast and content developer focused on connecting people interested in the outdoors with conservation, outreach, and public engagement.