All-terrain utility vehicles for field-based research in animal ecology and evolution

用于动物生态学和进化领域实地研究的全地形多功能车

• 批准号: 375295-2009
• 负责人: McLoughlin, Philip
• 金额: $ 1.18万
• 依托单位: University of Saskatchewan
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2008-01-01 至 2009-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=412127
• 关键词: terrain; utility; vehicles; field; based

This RTI Grant will provide essential equipment support for my work on the individual-based study of the wild (feral) horse population of Sable Island, Nova Scotia. This long-term (30+ year) study is in its first year and comprises an important component of my overall research program in animal ecology and evolution. My field work requires two, two-person teams to regularly sample 350-400 horses for locations, behaviour, morphology, and biological samples. The island is 42 km long: this proposal is directed at the critical purchase of two 6 × 4 all-terrain John Deere Gator utility vehicles for transporting researchers along the beaches. Gators will be shipped by sea to the island and will remain in place for 15-30 years. Each Gator carries two persons, and so this equipment will support the field activities of four people each day. Making the case that the John Deere Gator is the best vehicle for my work on Sable Island is easy: Gators are by far the safest all-terrain vehicles for students to use and they come highly recommended as reliable machines by staff at Sable Island Station. Six-wheeled Gators with a wide wheel base, maximum speeds limited to 30 km/h, and low-pressure, high-flotation tires combined with differential lock are perfect for beach travel. Sand beaches are subject to frequent washouts at high tide leaving irregularities in terrain, including areas of quicksand that can cause stranding of four-wheeled vehicles below the high water mark. Conditions of travel can be severe on Sable Island, with blinding, wind-driven sand, sea mist, and rain being a particular problem (even with goggles); hence, it is absolutely necessary that there be some enclosure (a cab) for operators. John Deere provides cabs just for this purpose. With these two vehicles, I have scheduled one undergraduate and two graduate students to work with me on Sable Island next summer. By year four I plan to have up to six individuals working on the island. NSERC's investment in my program would see an impressive return in terms of research productivity and training of highly qualified personnel.

这个RTI补助金将提供必要的设备支持我的工作对个人为基础的研究野生（野）马人口的黑貂岛，新斯科舍省。这项长期（30年以上）研究是在其第一年，包括我在动物生态学和进化的整体研究计划的重要组成部分。我的实地工作需要两个两人团队定期对350-400匹马进行位置，行为，形态和生物样本的采样。该岛长42公里：该提案旨在购买两辆6 × 4全地形John Deere Gator多功能车，用于沿着海滩运送研究人员。鳄鱼将通过海路运到岛上，并将在那里停留15-30年。每只鳄鱼携带两个人，所以这个设备每天将支持四个人的野外活动。要证明John Deere Gator是我在Sable Island工作的最佳车辆很容易：Gator是迄今为止学生使用的最安全的全地形车辆，Sable Island Station的工作人员强烈推荐它们作为可靠的机器。六轮Gators具有宽轴距，最高速度限制为30 km/h，低压，高浮力轮胎与差速锁相结合，非常适合海滩旅行。沙滩在涨潮时经常受到冲刷，地形不规则，包括流沙区，可能导致四轮车辆在高水位线以下搁浅。在Sable Island上的旅行条件可能很严峻，致盲，风吹的沙子，海雾和雨水是一个特别的问题（即使有护目镜）;因此，绝对有必要为操作员提供一些封闭空间（驾驶室）。John Deere为此提供出租车。有了这两辆车，我已经安排了一个本科生和两个研究生明年夏天和我一起在Sable Island工作。到第四年，我计划有多达六个人在岛上工作。NSERC对我的项目的投资将在研究生产力和高素质人才的培训方面获得令人印象深刻的回报。