GPS Insights: How COVID-19 Lockdowns Revealed Human Impact on Wildlife Through Tracking

The worldwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic presented scientists with an unprecedented experiment — observing large mammals in an environment with minimal human interference.

In a recent study published in Science, researchers used GPS technology to monitor 43 different animal species during the 2020 lockdowns. They discovered that wild animals grew bolder as people stayed indoors binge-watching shows. They stepped out of their usual habitats, coming closer to cities and roads, which were unusually quiet.

Peter Sunde, a professor at Aarhus University, contributed to this research by tracking the movements of four stags in Denmark’s Oustrup Hede. His findings indicated that human activities restricted these stags’ natural roaming patterns.

To decipher the GPS data, researchers used multiple analysis techniques. They studied a metric called the 95th percentile, highlighting the top 5% of the longest distances traveled by these animals. They also assessed animals’ hourly movements and their patterns over ten-day spans.

The results were intriguing. The hourly movement in spring 2020 was 12% less than the previous year, indicating fewer extended trips by animals.

Yet, animals in strict lockdown regions traveled more than usual on broader timelines.

«Animals ventured nearer to urban areas and roads during the lockdowns, benefiting from a more expansive roaming space,» noted Sunde. «But this was primarily in regions already deeply affected by human presence. In contrast, regions with low human footprints saw an uptick in visitors, thus restricting animals.»

As lockdowns lifted and human activities resumed, the animals readjusted. These findings underscore how altering human behavior can reduce its environmental impact.

Sunde concluded, «This newfound understanding can guide our interactions with nature. Recognizing that our mere presence affects animal behavior can inform our decisions about infrastructure projects or even designing simple forest trails.»

The implications of these findings extend beyond just our understanding of animal behavior. They reveal the profound interconnectedness of humans and wildlife within shared ecosystems. As urban areas continue to expand, it becomes vital to consider the implications of our built environments and daily activities on the natural world. The unique window offered by the pandemic into an alternate reality of reduced human activity presents a compelling argument for sustainable urban planning and development that respects the coexistence of all species.

Furthermore, the pandemic has heightened global consciousness about the delicate balance between humanity and nature. As societies progress towards more sustainable futures, these findings could act as a catalyst for establishing «green corridors» or dedicated pathways that allow animals safe passage through urbanized zones. Integrating such considerations into city planning and policy-making can ensure that as we grow and develop, we do so in harmony with the wildlife that has shared the planet with us for millennia.