Biologgers allow us to see with unprecedented precision how animals move and behave in the wild.
Biologgers allow us to see with unprecedented precision how animals move and behave in the wild. But that's only part of the picture, according to a UC Santa Cruz ecologist renowned for using biologging data to tell the deeper story about the lives of marine mammals in a changing world.
In a new opinion piece published on October 30 in Trends in Ecology and Evolution, researchers present a framework intended to underscore the value of biologging data for testing important questions about the natural world. They urge that now is the time to build upon "discovery-based science," where observations are presented as research findings—by framing data collection, analysis, and interpretation around specific questions posed by scientific theories.
"We emphasize the power and promise of theory-driven research," said study lead author Roxanne Beltran, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. "For example, if we hypothesize that animals take more risks when they're more hungry, can we use biologging tools to test and refine this theory by measuring both hunger and risk-taking in wildlife?"
Read more at: University of California - Santa Cruz
UC Santa Cruz researchers say biologging devices like the ones attached to the seal at center can test our theories of how the natural world works, not just track animal behavior. (Photo Credit: Dan Costa/UC Santa Cruz)
