Comparing Spring Migrations Year to Year When a single animal is tracked over more than one season, this provides for an excellent opportunity to compare their movements over a longer period of time. Scientists can compare the animal's movements from year to year and see how similar or different they are, and form some hypotheses about why the Manatees moved where they did when they did. If you are lucky enough to be tracking the same Manatee(s), over several seasons, follow the steps below to study their movements. Will you come up with more answers or more questions? 1) Print out the Comparing Chart in order to help you analyze the data (one copy for each Manatee you are comparing). Link to Comparing Chart 2) Focusing on one Manatee at a time, study its data in the Migration Data Archives. Start by reviewing the archived migration map and archived tracking datafor the first year it was tracked by Journey North. Follow the trail and the timing of that Manatee's migration. Study its locations, and fill the Chart with the information that is requested. What was that Manatee's northernmost latitude? Its southernmost? What was it Easternmost longitude? Its westernmost? Did it generally stay in one area? Or migrate widely? Make big movements? Or small movements? Did it visit any place more than once? 3) Then study and complete the chart with the same information for the most recent year(s), using maps and data for that year(s). If a manatee's migrations differed from one year to the next, think of all the reasons you can to explain why. Extension: Comparing Spring Migrations After your students have finished comparing migrations over several seasons, have them write a scientific paper about their hypotheses: Scientist Says: How Scientists Communicate the Results of Their Research Copyright 2002-2004 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form