Response to change in the environment : population dynamics of Weddell seals in east Antarctica ...

• Main Author: Lake, SE
• Format: Thesis
• Language: unknown
• Published: University Of Tasmania 2023
• Subjects: East Antarctica; Weddell; Antarc*; Antarctica; Weddell Seal; Weddell Seals
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.25959/23231618; https://figshare.utas.edu.au/articles/thesis/Response_to_change_in_the_environment_population_dynamics_of_Weddell_seals_in_east_Antarctica/23231618

In this thesis, two inter-related hypotheses were explored: The first hypothesis was that Weddell seals forage over small spatial scales (10s to 100s ofkilometers) and therefore experience, rather than move to avoid, resource limitation. The second hypothesis was a consequence of the seals experiencing periods of resource limitation i.e. that changes over time in resource availability affect the seals' annual rates of survival and reproduction so that these parameters can be used as indicators of foraging conditions. Diet study supported the premise that Weddell seals forage over relatively small spatial scales. Prey types were characteristic of the continental shelf. Many prey types were from inshore habitats. There was regional, temporal and fine-scale variation in the diet indicating that seals were foraging nearby where seats were collected. However, the wide variety in potential prey types may minimize coupling between Weddell seal population dynamics and the abundance of any particular prey species. ...