Geostatistical modelling of spatial distribution of sperm whales in the Pelagos Sanctuary based on sparse count data and heterogeneous observations

• Published in: Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems
• Main Authors: Fiori, Cristina, Giancardo, Luca, Aïssi, Mehdi, Alessi, Jessica, Vassallo, Paolo
• Other Authors: Foundation Total, MAVA foundation
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2014
• Subjects: Sperm whale
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aqc.2428; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Faqc.2428; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/aqc.2428

ABSTRACT The Mediterranean sperm whale sub‐population is classified as endangered by the IUCN. The conservation management of this species demands further knowledge of its habitat use. In this study, a generalized additive model was used to evaluate the spatial distribution of sperm whales in the Pelagos Sanctuary. The results suggested a preference for areas characterized by a particular sea floor topography. The estimated encounter probabilities were highest above bathymetric features such as the Imperia and Genoa canyons and the seamounts of the Ligurian Sea, highlighting differences in the habitat preference of sperm whales. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.