Performance of differential GPS collars in temperate mountain forest

Abstract

To determine the performance of Global Positioning System (GPS) for habitat studies in free-ranging animals, we tested differential 6- and 8-channel GPS collars under six representative canopies and one open-field reference site in the 'Parc national des Cévennes', southern France. The proportion of successful locations decreased under taller trees and worsened with snow accumulation in mixed coniferous habitats. The mean location success of seven free-ranging red deer fitted with 6-channel GPS collars in the same study area increased with a shorter interval between location attempts and during the leaf-off period. Our data suggested that the differences in location success between leaf-on and leaf-off periods might reflect shifts in habitat use rather than a leaf effect under deciduous trees.