A Framework For Understanding The Architecture Of Collective Movements Using Pairwise Analyses Of Animal Movement Data. (2010)

The study of collective or group-level movement patterns can provide insight regarding the socio-ecological interface, the evolution of self-organization and mechanisms of inter-individual information exchange.

Journal

Journal of Royal Society Interface

Author(s)

Polansky, L., Wittemyer G.

Date Published 2010pairwiseanalyses

Journal of Royal Society Interface. doi:10.1098/rsif.2010.0389

Summary

The study of collective or group-level movement patterns can provide insight regarding the socio-ecological interface, the evolution of self-organization and mechanisms of inter-individual information exchange. The suite of drivers influencing coordinated movement trajectories occur across scales, resulting from regular annual, seasonal and circadian stimuli and irregular intra- or interspecific interactions and environmental encounters acting on individuals. Here, we promote a conceptual framework with an associated statistical machinery to quantify the type and degree of synchrony, spanning absence to complete, in pairwise movements. The application of this framework offers a foundation for detailed understanding of collective movement patterns and causes.

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