Proposal

Narrative

The Primatology Lab at FAU is an interdisciplinary research and teaching lab between the Anthropology Department in the College of Arts and Letters and the Biology Department and Environmental Sciences Program in the College of Science. The Primatology Lab applies remote sensing technologies to study rare and endangered primate species in African rainforests and in the mangrove swamps near Fort Lauderdale airport. The lab provides research opportunities for undergraduate DIR students in Anthropology and Biology, graduate students in Anthropology (MA) and Biology (MSc), and PhD students in Integrative Biology. The lab is currently supporting 9 DIR students, 3 master’s students, and 3 PhD students. In addition, members of the Primatology Lab have been working with PI Kate Detwiler to use raw data generated from primate research projects to develop online science teaching labs. To date, the Primatology Lab has created 6 original science labs for undergraduate students taking ANT 2511 Introduction to Biological Anthropology and its associated lab (ANT 2511L). This course is part of FAU’s Foundations of Science and the Natural World requirement of FAU’s Core Curriculum and is capped at 150 students per semester. The new lab modules are free to FAU students, contributing to lowering the costs for textbook materials. This tech fee proposal is to purchase new remote sensing equipment and accompanying computer workstations to generate new data to support undergraduate and graduate student learning and research in primate ecology, conservation, and remote sensing technologies. The lab’s supply of remote sensing camera equipment needs to be replaced, and our computer workstations are from 2013 & 2015. Support from the Tech Fee Grant will allow us to update our technology and continue to contribute to FAU’s research and educational programs.

Facilities

No facilities renovations or upgrades are required.

Hardware Requirements

The hardware requirements for the 3 computers are provided in the price quotes from Apple and Dell in supplementary materials section.

Software Requirements

At this time the software requirements are free.

Personnel Costs

No personnel costs.

Other Costs

Browning Recon Force Advantage Trail Cameras and associated equipment for 90 camera trap stations is $17,738.10. These cameras have high resolution imagery (20 MP) and are deployed in natural habitats to remotely capture video images of wild primates and other wildlife. Additional information about the cost of this equipment is provided in supporting documentation with online sales quotes.

Timeline

January 15, 2021, installation of the two desktop computers and one field computer in the FAU Primatology Lab to replace outdated computers. January 15, 2021, installation of camera trap equipment at the Danial Beach Vervet Monkey Project field site in Broward County, FL. May 15, 2021, installation of camera trap equipment at the Lomami National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo primate field site. Project will remain ongoing as long as equipment remains functional. Previous camera trap equipment worked in the field for 3-4 years. Lab computers are replaced ideally every 5 years. Lab computers were purchased in 2012 and then upgraded for free to refurbished 2013 & 2015 computers by College of Arts and Letters.

Sustainability

The project is expected to last for 5+ years.

Resource Matching

At this time, the resource matching is through the College of Arts and Letters and College of Science through graduate student teaching assistantships. Graduate students provide the lab with the personnel needed to carryout research projects and generate learning materials for undergraduate coursework.

Implementing Organization

The Primatology Lab and Anthropology Department will implement the project.