Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify the main environmental covariates related to the abundance of 17 cetacean species/groups in the western North Atlantic Ocean based on generalized additive models, to establish a current habitat suitability baseline, and to estimate abundance that incorporates habitat characteristics. Habitat models were developed from dedicated sighting survey data collected by NOAA- Northeast and Southeast Fisheries Science Centers during July 2010 to August 2013. A group of 7 static physiographic characteristics and 9 dynamic environmental covariates were included in the models. For the small cetacean models, the explained deviance ranged from 16% to 69%. For the large whale models, the explained deviance ranged from 32% to 52.5%. Latitude, sea surface temperature, bottom temperature, primary productivity and distance to the coast were the most common covariates included and their individual contribution to the deviance explained ranged from 5.9% to 18.5%. The habitat-density models were used to produce seasonal average abundance estimates and habitat suitability maps that provided a good correspondence with observed sighting locations and historical sightings for each species in the study area. Thus, these models, maps and abundance estimates established a current habitat characterization of cetacean species in these waters and have the potential to be used to support management decisions and conservation measures in a marine spatial planning context.
Highlights
The Northeastern coast of the United States is one of the most populated portions of the country and supports some of the highest intensity of shipping, fishing and marine development in the nation
The objective of this study was to provide this background information for the above conservation and management needs; to use generalized additive models to establish a current habitat suitability description for cetacean species, to identify the main environmental covariates related to cetacean distribution, and to estimate abundance accounting for habitat relationships
A total of 103,395 km of track line was divided into 13,792 spatial-temporal cells (3,329 for spring, 5,978 for summer, 3,237 for fall and 1,248 for winter) that covered offshore and coastal habitats including the renewable energy areas (Fig. 1, Supplementary Table S1 previously reported in Palka et al.)[14]
Summary
The Northeastern coast of the United States is one of the most populated portions of the country and supports some of the highest intensity of shipping, fishing and marine development in the nation. Detailed current knowledge of the distributions of cetaceans and their suitable habitat is important for the effective management and conservation of cetacean species and of entire marine ecosystems[3] This is important given the rapidly changing oceanic environment in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean off the U.S.6 and the increasing demands for energy production that promoted the development of renewable energy areas on the outer continental shelf[7]. Results from habitat suitability models, their underlying spatial-temporal density distribution maps and the relationships between habitat features and density patterns are a cornerstone to support conservation and management They can be used to predict and monitor species’ response to changes in the climate and anthropogenic impacts[8,9], and generate abundance estimates that support conservation and management[10,11]. Example application of these models in conservation and management issues is discussed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
