Multi-scale habitat preference analyses for Azorean blue whales

García, Luis Pericot; Pierce, Graham J.; Autret, Emmanuelle; Palenzuela, Jesús Manuel Torres

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0201786

Cited by 21 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 72 publications

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“…It may potentially reflect greater prey availability associated with warmer water temperatures, for example the occurrence of Munida swarms higher in the water column during summer compared with winter [ 44 ]. Chl- a was also an important PV for SEI–BAL in MaxEnt, which is consistent with other studies indicating that baleen whale distribution in feeding areas is linked to primary productivity, presumably since it drives the occurrence of prey species [ 12 , 36 , 37 , 45 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Concurrently, the GAM results explained between 34.7 and 41.1% of the total deviance for those species, which is similar to, or better than, the values achieved for cetacean species in many other studies [e.g. 8,35,36]. The MaxEnt models for those three species had moderate discriminatory power with AUC values of 0.60 to 0.69, although those values are lower than those achieved for MaxEnt modelling of cetacean species in some other studies [e.g.…”

Section: Model Performancesupporting

confidence: 80%

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Predicting suitable coastal habitat for sei whales, southern right whales and dolphins around the Falkland Islands

Baines

Weir

2020

PLoS ONE

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Species distribution models (SDMs) are valuable tools for describing the occurrence of species and predicting suitable habitats. This study used generalized additive models (GAMs) and MaxEnt models to predict the relative densities of four cetacean species (sei whale Balaeanoptera borealis, southern right whale Eubalaena australis, Peale’s dolphin Lagenorhynchus australis, and Commerson’s dolphin Cephalorhynchus commersonii) in neritic waters (≤100 m depth) around the Falkland Islands, using boat survey data collected over three seasons (2017–2019). The model predictor variables (PVs) included remotely sensed environmental variables (sea surface temperature, SST, and chlorophyll-a concentration) and static geographical variables (e.g. water depth, distance to shore, slope). The GAM results explained 35 to 41% of the total deviance for sei whale, combined sei whales and unidentified large baleen whales, and Commerson’s dolphins, but only 17% of the deviance for Peale’s dolphins. The MaxEnt models for all species had low to moderate discriminatory power. The relative density of sei whales increased with SST in both models, and their predicted distribution was widespread across the inner shelf which is consistent with the use of Falklands’ waters as a coastal summer feeding ground. Peale’s dolphins and Commerson’s dolphins were largely sympatric across the study area. However, the relative densities of Commerson’s dolphins were generally predicted to be higher in nearshore, semi-enclosed, waters compared with Peale’s dolphins, suggesting some habitat partitioning. The models for southern right whales performed poorly and the results were not considered meaningful, perhaps due to this species exhibiting fewer strong habitat preferences around the Falklands. The modelling results are applicable to marine spatial planning to identify where the occurrence of cetacean species and anthropogenic activities may most overlap. Additionally, the results can inform the process of delineating a potential Key Biodiversity Area for sei whales in the Falkland Islands.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Model Performancesupporting

confidence: 80%

Predicting suitable coastal habitat for sei whales, southern right whales and dolphins around the Falkland Islands

Baines

Weir

2020

PLoS ONE

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“…No sightings occurred during autumn. González Garcia et al (2018) expressed another important issue related to the high dynamic nature of the marine environment in the Azores: a constantly changing environment created by the interaction between the dynamic oceanographic conditions and the wide range of sea depths. That provides a great variety of living conditions throughout the year.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavior of cetaceans in the waters south of Pico Island (Azores, Portugal) - data obtained during whale-watching 2020

Zahn¹,

Bloechl²

2022

Preprint

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Land-based and boat-based surveys were conducted to collect data during whale-watching excursions in July/August and October 2020. Occurrence and behavior of cetaceans south of Pico Island (Azores) were determined. 10 species were sighted. The most frequently sighted species were: Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis), Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and Rissos dolphin (Grampus griseus). 51 different behaviour patterns were recorded. The majority, 32 behavior, were observed from two or more species. 19 behavioral patterns were observed only once from a single species, Atlantic spotted dolphins showed nine and Sperm whale showed six. The most behavioral patterns were displayed by Stenella frontalis with 26 and Pseudorca crassidens with 22. Interspecific cooperative hunting and intraspecific food sharing were observed, for the latter there were no known observations in the Azores so far.

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“…The present study is the first to analyze the distribution of franciscanas throughout the day and to preliminarily identify the main foraging areas in Babitonga Bay, on seasonal and diel scales. Multiscale approaches have been shown to be very useful in studies of distribution of highly mobile species that explore dynamic habitats (González-García et al 2018), such as the characteristics of the environment and species dealt with here. In particular, the association of foraging with specific environmental characteristics must be considered in the management of anthropic disorders (New et al 2013, Pirotta et al 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Critically endangered franciscana dolphins in an estuarine area: fine-scale habitat use and distribution from acoustic monitoring in Babitonga Bay, southern Brazil

Paitach

Bortolotto

Amundin³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Franciscana dolphins in Babitonga Bay represent the only population of that critically endangered species which is confined to an estuary. Surrounded by large cities and harbors, that environment presents intense human activities and potential impacts that may threaten the dolphins. Understanding their habitat use and distribution can inform mitigation of such impacts. Here we used acoustic data from sixty fixed passive acoustic monitoring stations, implemented between June and December 2018. The relationship between the occurrence of franciscanas and environmental variables was investigated with generalized additive mixed models. The selected model presented 51% of explained deviance and included “time of day”, “intensity of presence of Guiana dolphins”, “maximum slope”, and “bottom sediment”, among other less statistically significant variables. A daily distribution pattern was identified, with franciscanas remaining in the areas of greatest occurrence especially in the morning and seemed to prefer sandy bottom and flatter areas. Areas intensively used by Guyana dolphins were avoided. Additionally, we mapped their distribution using “Empirical Bayesian Kriging” to identify the main areas of occurrence and for foraging. Franciscanas are consistently predominant in the innermost region of the estuary, without expressive use of the entrance channel, but with a wider range in winter than in the spring. The area around the islands, between the north and south banks, represents an important foraging area, a behavior more frequent during dawn and night. This study provides important insights into critical habitat and behavioral patterns of franciscanas, especially this critically endangered population.

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Multi-scale habitat preference analyses for Azorean blue whales

Cited by 21 publications

References 72 publications

Predicting suitable coastal habitat for sei whales, southern right whales and dolphins around the Falkland Islands

Predicting suitable coastal habitat for sei whales, southern right whales and dolphins around the Falkland Islands

Behavior of cetaceans in the waters south of Pico Island (Azores, Portugal) - data obtained during whale-watching 2020

Critically endangered franciscana dolphins in an estuarine area: fine-scale habitat use and distribution from acoustic monitoring in Babitonga Bay, southern Brazil

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