18 results on '"Alstrup, Aage Kristian Olsen"'
Search Results
2. Effects of Social Facilitation and Introduction Methods for Cattle on Virtual Fence Adaptation
- Author
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Simonsen, Pernille Arent, primary, Husted, Niels Søborg, additional, Clausen, Magnus, additional, Spens, Amalie-Maria, additional, Dyrholm, Rasmus Majland, additional, Thaysen, Ida Fabricius, additional, Aaser, Magnus Fjord, additional, Staahltoft, Søren Krabbe, additional, Bruhn, Dan, additional, Alstrup, Aage Kristian Olsen, additional, Sonne, Christian, additional, and Pertoldi, Cino, additional
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Hyperspectral CT allows for non-destructive elemental imaging in museum specimen
- Author
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Lauridsen Henrik, Johansson Daniel Klingberg, Pedersen Christina Carøe Ejlskov, Hansen Kasper, Krols Michiel, Gregersen Kristian Murphy, Jæger Julie Nogel, Williams Catherine Jane Alexandra, Sandgreen Ditte-Mari, Alstrup Aage Kristian Olsen, Bertelsen Mads Frost, and Møller Peter Rask
- Subjects
x-ray computed tomography ,lead ,non-invasive ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 ,Physiology ,QP1-981 ,Zoology ,QL1-991 - Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. The curious case of the Dana platypus and what it can teach us about how lead shotgun pellets behave in fluid preserved museum specimens and may limit their scientific value.
- Author
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Lauridsen, Henrik, Johansson, Daniel Klingberg, Pedersen, Christina Carøe Ejlskov, Hansen, Kasper, Krols, Michiel, Gregersen, Kristian Murphy, Jæger, Julie Nogel, Williams, Catherine Jane Alexandra, Sandgreen, Ditte-Mari, Alstrup, Aage Kristian Olsen, Bertelsen, Mads Frost, and Møller, Peter Rask
- Subjects
ANIMAL diversity ,HEAVY elements ,LEAD ,PLATYPUS ,NATURAL history museums - Abstract
Fluid preserved animal specimens in the collections of natural history museums constitute an invaluable archive of past and present animal diversity. Well-preserved specimens have a shelf-life spanning centuries and are widely used for e.g. anatomical, taxonomical and genetic studies. The way specimens were collected depended on the type of animal and the historical setting. As many small mammals and birds were historically collected by shooting, large quantities of heavy metal residues, primarily lead, may have been introduced into the sample in the form of lead shot pellets. Over time, these pellets may react with tissue fluids and/or the fixation and preservation agents and corrode into lead salts. As these chemicals are toxic, they could constitute a health issue to collection staff. Additionally, heavy element chemicals interfere with several imaging technologies increasingly used for non-invasive studies, and may confound anatomical and pathological investigations on affected specimens. Here we present a case-study based on platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) and other small mammals containing lead pellets from the collection of The Natural History Museum of Denmark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Ex Vivo Simultaneous H 2 15 O Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Porcine Kidneys—A Feasibility Study.
- Author
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Arildsen, Maibritt Meldgaard, Mariager, Christian Østergaard, Overgaard, Christoffer Vase, Vorre, Thomas, Bøjesen, Martin, Moeslund, Niels, Alstrup, Aage Kristian Olsen, Tolbod, Lars Poulsen, Vendelbo, Mikkel Holm, Ringgaard, Steffen, Pedersen, Michael, and Buus, Niels Henrik
- Subjects
POSITRON emission tomography ,MAGNETIC resonance imaging ,KIDNEY physiology ,DRUG infusion pumps ,BLOOD flow - Abstract
The aim was to establish combined H
2 15 O PET/MRI during ex vivo normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) of isolated porcine kidneys. We examined whether changes in renal arterial blood flow (RABF) are accompanied by changes of a similar magnitude in renal blood perfusion (RBP) as well as the relation between RBP and renal parenchymal oxygenation (RPO). Methods: Pig kidneys (n = 7) were connected to a NMP circuit. PET/MRI was performed at two different pump flow levels: a blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) MRI sequence performed simultaneously with a H2 15 O PET sequence for determination of RBP. Results: RBP was measured using H2 15 O PET in all kidneys (flow 1: 0.42–0.76 mL/min/g, flow 2: 0.7–1.6 mL/min/g). We found a linear correlation between changes in delivered blood flow from the perfusion pump and changes in the measured RBP using PET imaging (r2 = 0.87). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the feasibility of combined H2 15 O PET/MRI during NMP of isolated porcine kidneys with tissue oxygenation being stable over time. The introduction of H215O PET/MRI in nephrological research could be highly relevant for future pre-transplant kidney evaluation and as a tool for studying renal physiology in healthy and diseased kidneys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. The Social and Self-Directed Behaviours of Captive Golden Lion Tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia) within a Pair with a Sick Individual
- Author
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Jensen, Camilla Elita Bach, primary, Bundesen, Jacob T, additional, Sørensen, Majbrit Winding Rindom, additional, Gudmann, Mikkel Trankjær, additional, Kyed, Peter Kristian, additional, Urup, Patrick, additional, Nielsen, Jonas, additional, Nielsen, Maria Gytkjær, additional, Friis, Marie Ribergaard, additional, Beukel, Julie, additional, Amstrup, Sofie Jentzsch Hvid, additional, Gammelgård, Frej, additional, Jensen, Trine Hammer, additional, Pertoldi, Cino, additional, Alstrup, Aage Kristian Olsen, additional, and Perea-García, Juan Olvido, additional
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Using Activity Measures and GPS Data from a Virtual Fencing System to Assess Habitat Preference and Habitat Utilisation Patterns in Cattle
- Author
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Aaser, Magnus Fjord, primary, Staahltoft, Søren Krabbe, additional, Andersen, Martin, additional, Alstrup, Aage Kristian Olsen, additional, Sonne, Christian, additional, Bruhn, Dan, additional, Frikke, John, additional, and Pertoldi, Cino, additional
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. Analysing Spatial Distribution in Cattle within a Virtual Fence System
- Author
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Lund, Silje Marquardsen, primary, Jacobsen, Johanne Holm, additional, Nielsen, Maria Gytkjær, additional, Friis, Marie Ribergaard, additional, Nielsen, Natalie Hvid, additional, Mortensen, Nina Østerhaab, additional, Skibsted, Regitze Cushion, additional, Aaser, Magnus Fjord, additional, Staahltoft, Søren Krabbe, additional, Bruhn, Dan, additional, Sonne, Christian, additional, Alstrup, Aage Kristian Olsen, additional, and Pertoldi, Cino, additional
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. Further Evidence for Breeding White-Beaked Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) in Inner Danish Waters
- Author
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Alstrup, Aage Kristian Olsen, primary, Kinze, Carl Chr., additional, Kristensen, Natacha Mia, additional, Jensen, Trine Hammer, additional, Thøstesen, Charlotte Bie, additional, Larsen, Hanne Lyngholm, additional, Sønnichsen, Karen Ankersen, additional, Kyhn, Line A., additional, Holm, Thomas Eske, additional, Sigsgaard, Jens Jørgen, additional, and Pagh, Sussie, additional
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. Effects of Social Facilitation and Introduction Methods of Cattle on Virtual Fence Adaptation
- Author
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Simonsen, Pernille Arent, primary, Husted, Niels Søborg, additional, Clausen, Magnus, additional, Spens, Amalie-Maria, additional, Dyrholm, Ramus Majland, additional, Thaysen, Ida Fabricius, additional, Aaser, Magnus Fjord, additional, Staahltoft, Søren Krabbe, additional, Bruhn, Dan, additional, Alstrup, Aage Kristian Olsen, additional, Sonne, Christian, additional, and Pertoldi, Cino, additional
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. Facing Danger:Exploring Personality and Reactions of European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) towards Robotic Lawn Mowers
- Author
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Rasmussen, Sophie Lund, Schrøder, Bettina Thuland, Berger, Anne, Macdonald, David W., Pertoldi, Cino, Briefer, Elodie Floriane, Alstrup, Aage Kristian Olsen, Rasmussen, Sophie Lund, Schrøder, Bettina Thuland, Berger, Anne, Macdonald, David W., Pertoldi, Cino, Briefer, Elodie Floriane, and Alstrup, Aage Kristian Olsen
- Abstract
The populations of European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) are in decline, and it is essential that research identifies and mitigates the factors causing this. Hedgehogs are increasingly sharing habitats with humans, being exposed to a range of dangers in our backyards. Previous research has documented that some models of robotic lawn mowers can cause harm to hedgehogs. This study explored the personality and behaviour of 50 live hedgehogs when facing an approaching, disarmed robotic lawn mower. By combining a novel arena and novel object test, we found that 27 hedgehogs could be categorised as “shy” and 23 as “bold”, independently of sex and age. The encounter tests with a robotic lawn mower showed that the hedgehogs positioned themselves in seven different ways. Personality did not affect their reactions. Adult hedgehogs tended to react in a shyer manner, and the hedgehogs, generally, acted less boldly during their second encounter with the robotic lawn mower. Additionally, our results show that bold individuals reacted in a more unpredictable way, being more behaviourally unstable compared to the shy individuals. This knowledge will be applied in the design of a standardised hedgehog safety test, eventually serving to produce and approve hedgehog-friendly robotic lawn mowers., The populations of European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) are in decline, and it is essential that research identifies and mitigates the factors causing this. Hedgehogs are increasingly sharing habitats with humans, being exposed to a range of dangers in our backyards. Previous research has documented that some models of robotic lawn mowers can cause harm to hedgehogs. This study explored the personality and behaviour of 50 live hedgehogs when facing an approaching, disarmed robotic lawn mower. By combining a novel arena and novel object test, we found that 27 hedgehogs could be categorised as “shy” and 23 as “bold”, independently of sex and age. The encounter tests with a robotic lawn mower showed that the hedgehogs positioned themselves in seven different ways. Personality did not affect their reactions. Adult hedgehogs tended to react in a shyer manner, and the hedgehogs, generally, acted less boldly during their second encounter with the robotic lawn mower. Additionally, our results show that bold individuals reacted in a more unpredictable way, being more behaviourally unstable compared to the shy individuals. This knowledge will be applied in the design of a standardised hedgehog safety test, eventually serving to produce and approve hedgehog-friendly robotic lawn mowers.
- Published
- 2024
12. Spatial Distribution and Hierarchical Behaviour of Cattle Using a Virtual Fence System.
- Author
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Lund, Silje Marquardsen, Jacobsen, Johanne Holm, Nielsen, Maria Gytkjær, Friis, Marie Ribergaard, Nielsen, Natalie Hvid, Mortensen, Nina Østerhaab, Skibsted, Regitze Cushion, Aaser, Magnus Fjord, Staahltoft, Søren Krabbe, Bruhn, Dan, Sonne, Christian, Alstrup, Aage Kristian Olsen, Frikke, John, and Pertoldi, Cino
- Subjects
ANIMAL herds ,CATTLE herding ,AGRICULTURE ,SOCIAL hierarchies ,SOCIAL structure - Abstract
Simple Summary: In recent years, the interest in virtual fencing systems for flexible animal enclosure management has increased. However, implementing such systems requires significant investment due to the need for individual collars, hindering large-scale adoption. This study examines the spatial distribution of a cow herd using GPS locations from the Nofence© system, aiming to minimize the number of collars required by identifying patterns in positions and ranks to derive a hierarchy. Contrary to expectations, no distinct pattern emerged, suggesting future studies should focus on individual interactions rather than viewing the herd as a single unit. Interest in virtual fencing has increased due to its flexibility for agriculture and rewilding. However, systems like Nofence© require large financial investments, and the need for individual collars complicates large-scale use. If cattle herds maintain cohesive groups around leading individuals, fewer collars could be used, thereby enhancing cost efficiency. This study investigates the pattern in spatial distribution in a herd of 17 Angus cows on Fanø in Denmark with GPS locations, using a Nofence© system. The aim of this paper is to determine how individuals position themselves in a herd, spatially, and identify a pattern in ranks. The method used in this study examines the distances between an individual to the rest of the herdmates using nearest neighbour and descriptive statistics. Contrary to expectations, this study did not reveal a distinct pattern in herd distribution. While some tendencies in spatial distribution patterns were observed, only a low concordance could be found ( W = 0.15 , p < 0.001 ), indicating great variability in the cattle's ranks. A cumulative curve of the ranks estimated over the entire periods, however, allowed a rough estimation of the hierarchy and allowed identification of the highest-ranked cows, making the use of a cumulative curve a possible solution to finding the high-ranked cows. This research underscores the complexity of cattle social structures and highlights the need for extended observation periods and alternative methodologies to enhance the cost-effectiveness and scalability of virtual fencing in agricultural and rewilding contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. Using Activity Measures and GNSS Data from a Virtual Fencing System to Assess Habitat Preference and Habitat Utilisation Patterns in Cattle.
- Author
-
Aaser, Magnus Fjord, Staahltoft, Søren Krabbe, Andersen, Martin, Alstrup, Aage Kristian Olsen, Sonne, Christian, Bruhn, Dan, Frikke, John, and Pertoldi, Cino
- Subjects
HABITAT selection ,GLOBAL Positioning System ,LOCATION data ,GAUSSIAN mixture models ,TECHNOLOGICAL innovations - Abstract
Simple Summary: Developing sustainable livestock management requires knowledge and monitoring of which habitats within an enclosure the livestock prefers to stay in and in what way they utilise the available habitats. The technology of virtual fencing provides the ability to both monitor and adapt enclosures, thus adding value to the expense related to fencing for farmers and livestock managers. To this end, the possibilities this new technology offers need to be explored and methods developed. In this paper, we explore the monitoring capabilities of virtual fencing technology on a herd of cattle in a coastal dune landscape. We explore to what extent a herd of cattle prefers some habitats over others, and in what way they utilise each of the available habitats. We find clear differences in the amount of time the herd spends in each habitat and in the ways they utilise each habitat. The herd spend a disproportionately large amount of time in salt meadow, and likely spend most of their time there resting and ruminating. We conclude that the method for monitoring of cattle applied in this study, using existing virtual fencing technology, is a relatively precise method useful in year-round monitoring, with room for improvement. There has been an increased focus on new technologies to monitor habitat use and behaviour of cattle to develop a more sustainable livestock grazing system without compromising animal welfare. One of the currently used methods for monitoring cattle behaviour is tri-axial accelerometer data from systems such as virtual fencing technology or bespoke monitoring technology. Collection and transmission of high-frequency accelerometer and GNSS data is a major energy cost, and quickly drains the battery in contemporary virtual fencing systems, making it unsuitable for long-term monitoring. In this paper, we explore the possibility of determining habitat preference and habitat utilisation patterns in cattle using low-frequency activity and location data. We achieve this by (1) calculating habitat selection ratios, (2) determining daily activity patterns, and (3) based on those, inferring grazing and resting sites in a group of cattle wearing virtual fencing collars in a coastal setting with grey, wooded, and decalcified dunes, humid dune slacks, and salt meadows. We found that GNSS data, and a measure of activity, combined with accurate mapping of habitats can be an effective tool in assessing habitat preference. The animals preferred salt meadows over the other habitats, with wooded dunes and humid dune slacks being the least preferred. We were able to identify daily patterns in activity. By comparing general trends in activity levels to the existing literature, and using a Gaussian mixture model, it was possible to infer resting and grazing behaviour in the different habitats. According to our inference of behaviour the herd predominantly used the salt meadows for resting and ruminating. The approach used in this study allowed us to use GNSS location data and activity data and combine it with accurate habitat mapping to assess habitat preference and habitat utilisation patterns, which can be an important tool for guiding management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
14. Testing the Impact of Robotic Lawn Mowers on European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) and Designing a Safety Test.
- Author
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Rasmussen, Sophie Lund, Schrøder, Bettina Thuland, Berger, Anne, Sollmann, Rahel, Macdonald, David W., Pertoldi, Cino, and Alstrup, Aage Kristian Olsen
- Subjects
LAWN mowers ,HEDGEHOGS ,HUMAN settlements ,ROBOTICS ,TEST design - Abstract
Simple Summary: The declining populations of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are increasingly inhabiting areas with human occupation. However, sharing habitats with humans comes at a cost: a residential garden holds many potential dangers for hedgehogs. Previous research has shown that certain models of robotic lawn mowers may harm hedgehogs. This study investigated the effects of 19 models of robotic lawn mowers on hedgehog cadavers. The insights gained from the current and previous research led to the design of a protocol for testing the safety of robotic lawn mowers on hedgehogs. The proposed standardised safety test will hopefully be implemented in the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) protocol, potentially allowing for a labelling system indicating whether a robotic lawn mower is safe for hedgehogs, guiding the consumers to purchase hedgehog-friendly robotic lawn mowers in the future, thus reducing the negative impact some models of robotic lawn mowers may have on hedgehog conservation. Previous research has established that some models of robotic lawn mowers are potentially harmful to hedgehogs. As the market for robotic lawn mowers is expanding rapidly and the populations of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are in decline, it is important to investigate this risk further to understand the potential threat which some robotic lawn mowers may pose to hedgehogs. We tested 19 models of robotic lawn mowers in collision with hedgehog cadavers to measure their effect on hedgehogs. Our results showed that some models of robotic lawn mowers may injure hedgehogs, whereas others are not harmful to them. Apart from one single incidence, all robotic lawn mowers had to physically touch the hedgehog carcasses to detect them. Larger hedgehog cadavers were less likely to be "injured", with height being the most influential measure of size. The firmness of the tested hedgehog cadavers (frozen or thawed) did not influence the outcome of the collision tests. Neither the position of the hedgehog cadavers nor the selected technical features of the lawn mowers affected the probability of injury. Based on the results, we designed a standardised safety test to measure the effect of a specific model of robotic lawn mower on hedgehogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
15. Facing Danger: Exploring Personality and Reactions of European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) towards Robotic Lawn Mowers.
- Author
-
Rasmussen, Sophie Lund, Schrøder, Bettina Thuland, Berger, Anne, Macdonald, David W., Pertoldi, Cino, Briefer, Elodie Floriane, and Alstrup, Aage Kristian Olsen
- Subjects
LAWN mowers ,HEDGEHOGS ,HUMAN settlements ,PERSONALITY tests ,ROBOTICS - Abstract
Simple Summary: The European hedgehog is a generally welcomed but nowadays less common guest in residential gardens, as the species is in decline. Sharing habitats with humans comes at a cost: a residential garden holds many potential dangers for hedgehogs. Previous research has shown that certain models of robotic lawn mowers may harm hedgehogs. This study sought to investigate the personality and reactions of live hedgehogs towards a disarmed, approaching robotic lawn mower. Personality tests revealed that the hedgehogs could be divided into categories of "shy" and "bold" individuals, independently of age and sex. The encounter tests with a disarmed robotic lawn mower showed that they behaved and positioned themselves in seven different ways, and the individuals with a bold personality reacted in a more unpredictable way. Adult hedgehogs tended to react in a shyer manner, and the tested hedgehogs, generally, acted less boldly the second time they encountered a robotic lawn mower. This knowledge will be used in the process of designing a standardised hedgehog safety test to eventually produce and approve hedgehog-friendly robotic lawn mowers that pose no hazards to hedgehogs, ultimately, serving to eliminate their influence on hedgehog survival and, thereby, improve hedgehog conservation. The populations of European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) are in decline, and it is essential that research identifies and mitigates the factors causing this. Hedgehogs are increasingly sharing habitats with humans, being exposed to a range of dangers in our backyards. Previous research has documented that some models of robotic lawn mowers can cause harm to hedgehogs. This study explored the personality and behaviour of 50 live hedgehogs when facing an approaching, disarmed robotic lawn mower. By combining a novel arena and novel object test, we found that 27 hedgehogs could be categorised as "shy" and 23 as "bold", independently of sex and age. The encounter tests with a robotic lawn mower showed that the hedgehogs positioned themselves in seven different ways. Personality did not affect their reactions. Adult hedgehogs tended to react in a shyer manner, and the hedgehogs, generally, acted less boldly during their second encounter with the robotic lawn mower. Additionally, our results show that bold individuals reacted in a more unpredictable way, being more behaviourally unstable compared to the shy individuals. This knowledge will be applied in the design of a standardised hedgehog safety test, eventually serving to produce and approve hedgehog-friendly robotic lawn mowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
16. A New Simple Method for Age Determination of Harbour Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena).
- Author
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Henriksen, Louise B., Bie Thøstesen, Charlotte, Alstrup, Aage Kristian Olsen, Larsen, Hanne Lyngholm, Wahlberg, Magnus, Siebert, Ursula, and Pagh, Sussie
- Subjects
- *
HARBOR porpoise , *MARINE mammals , *TOOTHED whales , *ANTHROPOGENIC effects on nature , *AGE differences , *BLAND-Altman plot - Abstract
Age determination of marine mammals is important for understanding the impact of anthropogenic disturbances as well as for population management. Toothed whales are usually age-determined by counting annually formed layers in their teeth. This includes a time-consuming sequence of preparations, usually involving chemical treatment. This study tested a quicker and simpler method for age determination of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), originally developed for age determination of foxes and other terrestrial carnivores. The tooth was ground with finegrained sandpaper, and the age lines were directly read using a binocular microscope. To evaluate the usability of the grinding method for harbour porpoises, three tests were used: (1) the number of growth layer groups (GLGs) in teeth from 66 harbour porpoises by the grinding method were compared by two readers; (2) GLGs in teeth from six harbour porpoises prepared by the grinding method and by the decalcification method were compared in a blinded set-up with two readers; and (3) the GLGs in teeth from two individuals with known ages prepared by both the grinding method and the decalcification method, respectively, were compared. A Bland-Altman plot showed high agreement between the determined age of individuals by the two different methods. The average age difference was -0.56 years, and the 95% confidence interval for the average difference was [-4.3, 3.2] years. The grinding method is therefore considered to be a valid alternative and quicker method for age determination of harbour porpoises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
17. Spatial Distribution and Hierarchical Behaviour of Cattle Using a Virtual Fence System.
- Author
-
Lund SM, Jacobsen JH, Nielsen MG, Friis MR, Nielsen NH, Mortensen NØ, Skibsted RC, Aaser MF, Staahltoft SK, Bruhn D, Sonne C, Alstrup AKO, Frikke J, and Pertoldi C
- Abstract
Interest in virtual fencing has increased due to its flexibility for agriculture and rewilding. However, systems like Nofence© require large financial investments, and the need for individual collars complicates large-scale use. If cattle herds maintain cohesive groups around leading individuals, fewer collars could be used, thereby enhancing cost efficiency. This study investigates the pattern in spatial distribution in a herd of 17 Angus cows on Fanø in Denmark with GPS locations, using a Nofence© system. The aim of this paper is to determine how individuals position themselves in a herd, spatially, and identify a pattern in ranks. The method used in this study examines the distances between an individual to the rest of the herdmates using nearest neighbour and descriptive statistics. Contrary to expectations, this study did not reveal a distinct pattern in herd distribution. While some tendencies in spatial distribution patterns were observed, only a low concordance could be found (W=0.15,p<0.001), indicating great variability in the cattle's ranks. A cumulative curve of the ranks estimated over the entire periods, however, allowed a rough estimation of the hierarchy and allowed identification of the highest-ranked cows, making the use of a cumulative curve a possible solution to finding the high-ranked cows. This research underscores the complexity of cattle social structures and highlights the need for extended observation periods and alternative methodologies to enhance the cost-effectiveness and scalability of virtual fencing in agricultural and rewilding contexts.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. Using Activity Measures and GNSS Data from a Virtual Fencing System to Assess Habitat Preference and Habitat Utilisation Patterns in Cattle.
- Author
-
Aaser MF, Staahltoft SK, Andersen M, Alstrup AKO, Sonne C, Bruhn D, Frikke J, and Pertoldi C
- Abstract
There has been an increased focus on new technologies to monitor habitat use and behaviour of cattle to develop a more sustainable livestock grazing system without compromising animal welfare. One of the currently used methods for monitoring cattle behaviour is tri-axial accelerometer data from systems such as virtual fencing technology or bespoke monitoring technology. Collection and transmission of high-frequency accelerometer and GNSS data is a major energy cost, and quickly drains the battery in contemporary virtual fencing systems, making it unsuitable for long-term monitoring. In this paper, we explore the possibility of determining habitat preference and habitat utilisation patterns in cattle using low-frequency activity and location data. We achieve this by (1) calculating habitat selection ratios, (2) determining daily activity patterns, and (3) based on those, inferring grazing and resting sites in a group of cattle wearing virtual fencing collars in a coastal setting with grey, wooded, and decalcified dunes, humid dune slacks, and salt meadows. We found that GNSS data, and a measure of activity, combined with accurate mapping of habitats can be an effective tool in assessing habitat preference. The animals preferred salt meadows over the other habitats, with wooded dunes and humid dune slacks being the least preferred. We were able to identify daily patterns in activity. By comparing general trends in activity levels to the existing literature, and using a Gaussian mixture model, it was possible to infer resting and grazing behaviour in the different habitats. According to our inference of behaviour the herd predominantly used the salt meadows for resting and ruminating. The approach used in this study allowed us to use GNSS location data and activity data and combine it with accurate habitat mapping to assess habitat preference and habitat utilisation patterns, which can be an important tool for guiding management decisions.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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