Do you know what a geolocator is? It is a device that helps us find out where animals go when they migrate from one place to another. A light level geolocator is a special kind of geolocator that helps us study animal movements based on the amount of light they are exposed to.
The light level geolocator is like a tiny computer that has a few important features. It has a small battery, a light sensor, and a memory chip. The tiny computer is attached to an animal that migrates, usually a bird, using a harness or a band. As the bird moves from one place to another, the light level geolocator records the amount of light it receives. This helps us to figure out where the bird is and where it is going.
The amount of light the geolocator records tells us how long the day and night are in different places. The computer uses this information to figure out the bird's location. For example, if the bird is in a place where the days are longer, the computer knows that it is closer to the equator. If the bird is in a place where the days are shorter, the computer knows that it is closer to the poles.
Scientists can use the information collected by light level geolocators to study many things about migratory animals. For example, we can learn which areas are important for their survival and how climate change is affecting their migration patterns. This helps us make better decisions about how to conserve and protect these animals.
In summary, a light level geolocator helps us track the movements of birds and other migratory animals by recording the amount of light they are exposed to. This information helps us learn more about their migration patterns and make better decisions about how to protect them.