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Theoretically possible spatial accuracy of geomagnetic maps used by migrating animals
Andrei V Komolkin1, Pavel Kupriyanov2, Andrei Chudin2
1Saint Petersburg State University, 7-9 Universitetskaya Emb., St Petersburg 199034, Russia a.komolkin@spbu.ru.
Journal of the Royal Society, Interface
|March 24, 2017
Summary
Migratory birds may use Earth's magnetic field for navigation, achieving remarkable accuracy. However, even small measurement errors significantly reduce their navigational precision, suggesting the need for supplementary navigation systems.
Area of Science:
- Animal behavior
- Geophysics
- Navigation
Background:
- Many migrating animals exhibit remarkable site fidelity, returning to specific locations over vast distances.
- The use of a geomagnetic map, relying on variations in Earth's magnetic field, is a proposed mechanism for this navigation.
- Key parameters of the geomagnetic field, such as total intensity and inclination, vary geographically.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial resolution of a hypothetical magnetic map used by migratory birds.
- To analyze the impact of geomagnetic field fluctuations on navigational accuracy.
- To determine the theoretical limits of magnetic map-based navigation for avian migrants.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of temporal fluctuations in geomagnetic field intensity from European observatories.
- Modeling the spatial resolution of a magnetic map based on geomagnetic data.
- Calculation of potential navigational accuracy under varying measurement precision.
Main Results:
- Perfectly measured magnetic field data could allow birds to navigate to a narrow strip of land (43 km in northern Europe, <10 km in southern areas).
- A 0.1% error in magnetic field measurement increases the potential navigational error strip width by approximately 40 km.
- Under these error conditions, birds might only be able to return within 90 km of their target.
Conclusions:
- The precision of magnetic field measurements significantly influences navigational accuracy.
- Potential errors in magnetic perception may necessitate the use of complementary navigation systems, such as olfactory maps.
- A multi-sensory approach, integrating magnetic and olfactory cues, might be crucial for precise homing in migratory birds.
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