segmenting tracks, variograms

[Michaela A Kratofil]

Hi Chris/group,

I'm working with tag data from a couple of dolphins and have a few questions regarding segmentation and averaging subsequent UDs. Both animals had clustered/resident movements in one area, then moved to a another area for ~2-3 weeks, and then back to the first area. Based on the variograms (see attached "originals"), we segmented the data for each into three different segments to capture each behavior/range pattern and then average these segment specific UDs with mean(). 

I attached the variograms for the segmented tracks for each individual. The second segment for each is more of a "dispersal/exploration" type movement, which I suspect is why there isn't much of an asymptote. These aren't massive exploratory phases: both dolphins remain on the West Florida Shelf for the entirety of their tracking period (although this is obviously a large area). 

My first question is whether we should be averaging the segment-specific UDs for all segments (or only 1 and 3, which are more "range resident")? And any other thoughts on these variograms?

My other question is whether there is an appropriate reference/paper for this process of segmenting tracks and averaging UDs? Just wondering how to cite this process in our methods.

Thank you!

Michaela