Desert Fauna Detection and Tracking System

ABSTRACT: Identifying the presence of endangered and threatened species is crucial to complying with Environmental Protection Agency regulations. Each year military reservations spend large amounts of resources in time, materials, and manpower in identifying if endangered or threatened species are present. Current methods of determining presence of endangered and threatened species are labor intensive and may cause stress and habitat disruption. In addition, based on the surveyor"s skill level, attention to following procedures, and record keeping, can introduce more unwanted variables into the reliability and accuracy of the field survey. An alternative method of species identification is needed that is more economical with increased accuracy, while minimizing impacts to the environment. An acoustical signal identification approach that has proved successful in identifying marine mammals will be implemented for terrestrial applications. CTSi and Cornell University"s Bioacoustics Research Program have identified an innovative approach which will deliver accurate field surveys for any desired species that can vocalize, locate the emission position, use less labor, use ordinary people as survey scientists, and operate in rugged environmental conditions. Our team will provide a rugged autonomous acoustic DRP system that can consistently and accurately identify and track animals that emit sounds. This system operates autonomously and produces an acoustical emissions map for the end user. The system can easily accommodate other acoustic emission identification and location applications. BENEFIT: The anticipated benefit of this effort is automating environmental compliance fauna site surveys by using species unique acoustical identification methods. A by-product of this automation is enhanced species detection while reducing manpower to conduct the survey and minimizing intrusion into environmentally sensitive areas. This technology can be adapted into many applications especially in the DOD surveillance market, where detecting target sounds and the emission origin provides the warfighter with enhanced situational awareness capability.