An ornithologist tracks the migration of a flock of 120 birds. Each bird is equipped with a GPS device that costs $50. If the ornithologist also spends $2,000 on stable isotope analysis for the flock, what is the total cost of the project?

Sat, 02 May 2026 06:54:58 +0000

**Understanding the Financial Commitment Behind Wildlife Tracking Projects** Every year, interest in bird migration grows—especially as climate change and habitat shifts reshape animal movement patterns. This spike in public curiosity has led researchers and conservationists to turn to advanced tools, turning a simple journey of a flock of 120 birds into a complex scientific effort. Understanding the true investment behind such projects reveals much more than just numbers—it highlights how modern ecology blends precision technology with deep environmental insight. At the heart of a modern ornithology study lies the use of GPS tracking devices. Each bird in the flock carries a lightweight GPS unit costing $50, enabling real-time location data across thousands of miles. For 120 birds, this equipment alone totals $6,000, a figure that reflects both technological durability and precision. But cost efficiency remains critical, driven by both budget constraints and ecological sensitivity. To complement GPS data, stable isotope analysis is conducted on the entire flock. This technique provides key insights into birds’ diets and geographic origins through chemical signatures in feathers or tissues, costing exactly $2,000. Together, these components form a multi-layered research system focused on behavior, nutrition, and migration dynamics—essential for long-term conservation planning.