About this Research Topic
Research in this field has dramatically increased over the last 20 years, mainly due to the improved accuracy and reduced cost of reliable trackers, loggers, and sensors for recording the behavior of wild animals at high temporal resolution for long periods of time. In parallel, new mathematical, statistical and computational methods have been developed in order to model, analyze and interpret these increasingly rich data sets.
The goal of this interdisciplinary research topic is to explore exciting new opportunities to adapt and use ideas, approaches, methods and techniques developed within the broad field of behavioral ecology in order to address applied animal science issues, including improved animal management and welfare. In parallel, we will also explore how developments in the field of applied animal sciences might be adopted and applied more broadly within behavioral ecology.
We welcome Original Research, Methods,Review and Perspective articles from investigators worldwide that highlight and explore the potential links between behavioral ecology and applied animal sciences. Specific themes could include:
- Examples of novel technologies, methods, and techniques for collecting and analyzing behavioral data in the context of wild and/or managed animals.
- Case studies of applying existing ideas, approaches, methods and techniques from behavioral ecology within applied animal science (or vice-versa).
- Key issues in applied animal sciences, such as improving animal management and welfare, that might be addressed using ideas and approaches from behavioral ecology.
- Conceptual reviews or perspectives comparing and synthesizing ideas, approaches, methods and techniques used in behavioral ecology and applied animal sciences.
Keywords: Behavioral ecology, Movement ecology, Animal welfare, Animal behavior, Animal management, Livestock production, Resource use, Communication, Signaling, Cooperation, Altruism, Mating, Parental care, Welfare indicators, Precision livestock farming, Animal space use, Animal movement, Game theory, Aggression, Competition, Conflict, Social interactions, Social networks, Positive welfare, Animal health
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.