Species distribution modelling of Bryde’s whales, humpback whales, southern right whales, and sperm whales in the southern African region to inform their conservation in expanding economies
In southern African waters, information about species distribution and habitat preferences of many cetacean species is limited, despite the recent economic growth that may affect them. We determined the relative importance of eight environmental variables (bathymetry, distance to shore, slope, chlor...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:1610b682ad6042cc84ba4130d69381ad 2024-01-07T09:44:47+01:00 Species distribution modelling of Bryde’s whales, humpback whales, southern right whales, and sperm whales in the southern African region to inform their conservation in expanding economies Jean Purdon Fannie W. Shabangu Dawit Yemane Marc Pienaar Michael J. Somers Ken Findlay 2020-09-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9997 https://doaj.org/article/1610b682ad6042cc84ba4130d69381ad EN eng PeerJ Inc. https://peerj.com/articles/9997.pdf https://peerj.com/articles/9997/ https://doaj.org/toc/2167-8359 doi:10.7717/peerj.9997 2167-8359 https://doaj.org/article/1610b682ad6042cc84ba4130d69381ad PeerJ, Vol 8, p e9997 (2020) Cetaceans Ensemble models Important marine mammal areas South Africa Species distribution models Medicine R Biology (General) QH301-705.5 article 2020 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9997 2023-12-10T01:49:58Z In southern African waters, information about species distribution and habitat preferences of many cetacean species is limited, despite the recent economic growth that may affect them. We determined the relative importance of eight environmental variables (bathymetry, distance to shore, slope, chlorophyll-a, salinity, eastwards sea water velocity, northwards sea water velocity and sea surface temperature) as drivers of seasonal habitat preferences of Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera brydei), humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Using presence only data from multiple sources, we constructed predictive species distribution models (SDMs) consisting of ensembles of seven algorithms for these species during both summer and winter. Predicted distribution for all cetaceans was high in southern Africa and, in particular, within the South African Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Predictive models indicated a more pronounced seasonal variation for humpback, sperm and southern right whales than for Bryde’s whales. Southern right whales occurred closer to shore during winter, humpback whales were more likely to occur along the east coast in winter and the west coast in summer, and sperm whales were more concentrated off the shelf in winter. Our study shows that ensemble models using historical, incidental and scientific data, in conjunction with modern environmental variables, can provide baseline knowledge on important environmental drivers of cetacean distribution for conservation purposes. Results of this study can further be used to help develop marine spatial plans and identify important marine mammal areas. Article in Journal/Newspaper Megaptera novaeangliae Physeter macrocephalus Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles PeerJ 8 e9997 |
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Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
Cetaceans Ensemble models Important marine mammal areas South Africa Species distribution models Medicine R Biology (General) QH301-705.5 |
spellingShingle |
Cetaceans Ensemble models Important marine mammal areas South Africa Species distribution models Medicine R Biology (General) QH301-705.5 Jean Purdon Fannie W. Shabangu Dawit Yemane Marc Pienaar Michael J. Somers Ken Findlay Species distribution modelling of Bryde’s whales, humpback whales, southern right whales, and sperm whales in the southern African region to inform their conservation in expanding economies |
topic_facet |
Cetaceans Ensemble models Important marine mammal areas South Africa Species distribution models Medicine R Biology (General) QH301-705.5 |
description |
In southern African waters, information about species distribution and habitat preferences of many cetacean species is limited, despite the recent economic growth that may affect them. We determined the relative importance of eight environmental variables (bathymetry, distance to shore, slope, chlorophyll-a, salinity, eastwards sea water velocity, northwards sea water velocity and sea surface temperature) as drivers of seasonal habitat preferences of Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera brydei), humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Using presence only data from multiple sources, we constructed predictive species distribution models (SDMs) consisting of ensembles of seven algorithms for these species during both summer and winter. Predicted distribution for all cetaceans was high in southern Africa and, in particular, within the South African Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Predictive models indicated a more pronounced seasonal variation for humpback, sperm and southern right whales than for Bryde’s whales. Southern right whales occurred closer to shore during winter, humpback whales were more likely to occur along the east coast in winter and the west coast in summer, and sperm whales were more concentrated off the shelf in winter. Our study shows that ensemble models using historical, incidental and scientific data, in conjunction with modern environmental variables, can provide baseline knowledge on important environmental drivers of cetacean distribution for conservation purposes. Results of this study can further be used to help develop marine spatial plans and identify important marine mammal areas. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Jean Purdon Fannie W. Shabangu Dawit Yemane Marc Pienaar Michael J. Somers Ken Findlay |
author_facet |
Jean Purdon Fannie W. Shabangu Dawit Yemane Marc Pienaar Michael J. Somers Ken Findlay |
author_sort |
Jean Purdon |
title |
Species distribution modelling of Bryde’s whales, humpback whales, southern right whales, and sperm whales in the southern African region to inform their conservation in expanding economies |
title_short |
Species distribution modelling of Bryde’s whales, humpback whales, southern right whales, and sperm whales in the southern African region to inform their conservation in expanding economies |
title_full |
Species distribution modelling of Bryde’s whales, humpback whales, southern right whales, and sperm whales in the southern African region to inform their conservation in expanding economies |
title_fullStr |
Species distribution modelling of Bryde’s whales, humpback whales, southern right whales, and sperm whales in the southern African region to inform their conservation in expanding economies |
title_full_unstemmed |
Species distribution modelling of Bryde’s whales, humpback whales, southern right whales, and sperm whales in the southern African region to inform their conservation in expanding economies |
title_sort |
species distribution modelling of bryde’s whales, humpback whales, southern right whales, and sperm whales in the southern african region to inform their conservation in expanding economies |
publisher |
PeerJ Inc. |
publishDate |
2020 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9997 https://doaj.org/article/1610b682ad6042cc84ba4130d69381ad |
genre |
Megaptera novaeangliae Physeter macrocephalus |
genre_facet |
Megaptera novaeangliae Physeter macrocephalus |
op_source |
PeerJ, Vol 8, p e9997 (2020) |
op_relation |
https://peerj.com/articles/9997.pdf https://peerj.com/articles/9997/ https://doaj.org/toc/2167-8359 doi:10.7717/peerj.9997 2167-8359 https://doaj.org/article/1610b682ad6042cc84ba4130d69381ad |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9997 |
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PeerJ |
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8 |
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e9997 |
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1787426203870691328 |