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Markus Horning

Associate Professor
Markus.Horning [at] oregonstate.edu

Office: 541-867-0270

Pinniped Ecology

Starting in 1990, I have developed and built numerous miniaturized data recording computers to monitor physiological, behavioral and environmental parameters on diving animals. These include some of the smallest and most accurate archival recorders world-wide, using state-of-the-art instrumentation grade sensors, advanced digital signal processing, data compression and optical communications with external computers. These devices have been used by scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Max-Planck-Institute, U.C. Santa Cruz, Texas A&M Univ., National Geographic Television, Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute, U.S. Navy, and the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service. Specialized sensors developed by me have been used successfully on more than twelve different species of diving animals.

Since 1990, I have pursued the development of specialized data analysis software for the analysis of time-series telemetry data. This software has been freely distributed and is in use by several laboratories. The development of new research approaches and technologies is continuing through several cooperative development programs between my laboratory at Texas A&M, and the National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, and Wildlife Computers, Inc.

I focus on investigating the interplay of physiological constraints, behavioral plasticity and environmental variability on pinniped populations. My projects include basic science and research applied toward conservation and management of marine living resources. I enjoy developing new experimental designs, technologies and analytical approaches.