A modelling framework to optimize timing of haulout counts for estimating harbour seal ( Phoca vitulina ) abundance
The time of year and day, the state of the tide and prevailing environmental conditions significantly influence seal haulout behaviour. Understanding these effects is fundamentally important in deriving accurate estimates of harbour seal abundance from haulout data. We present a modelling approach t...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:6c241ffee2fd490f92b570ddc41740df 2023-05-15T16:33:35+02:00 A modelling framework to optimize timing of haulout counts for estimating harbour seal ( Phoca vitulina ) abundance Michelle Cronin Alain F Zuur Emer Rogan 2010-09-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.7557/3.2686 https://doaj.org/article/6c241ffee2fd490f92b570ddc41740df EN eng Septentrio Academic Publishing https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/NAMMCOSP/article/view/2686 https://doaj.org/toc/1560-2206 https://doaj.org/toc/2309-2491 1560-2206 2309-2491 doi:10.7557/3.2686 https://doaj.org/article/6c241ffee2fd490f92b570ddc41740df NAMMCO Scientific Publications, Vol 8, Iss 0, Pp 213-225 (2010) harbour seals haulout behaviour surveys abundance Ecology QH540-549.5 article 2010 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.7557/3.2686 2022-12-31T13:54:47Z The time of year and day, the state of the tide and prevailing environmental conditions significantly influence seal haulout behaviour. Understanding these effects is fundamentally important in deriving accurate estimates of harbour seal abundance from haulout data. We present a modelling approach to assess the influence of these variables on seals’ haulout behaviour and, by identifying the combination of covariates during which seal abundance is highest, predict the optimal time and conditions for future surveys. Count data of harbour seals at haulouts in southwest Ireland collected during 2003-2005 were included in mixed additive models together with environmental covariates, including season, time of day and weather conditions. The models show maximum abundance at haulout sites occurred during midday periods during August and in late afternoon/early evening during September. Accurate national and local population estimates are essential for the effective monitoring of the conservation status of the species and for the identification, management and monitoring of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) in accordance with the EU Habitats Directive. Our model based approach provides a useful tool for optimising the timing of harbourseal surveys in Ireland and the modelling framework is useful for predicting optimal survey periods for other protected, endangered or significant species worldwide. Article in Journal/Newspaper harbour seal Phoca vitulina Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles NAMMCO Scientific Publications 8 213 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
harbour seals haulout behaviour surveys abundance Ecology QH540-549.5 |
spellingShingle |
harbour seals haulout behaviour surveys abundance Ecology QH540-549.5 Michelle Cronin Alain F Zuur Emer Rogan A modelling framework to optimize timing of haulout counts for estimating harbour seal ( Phoca vitulina ) abundance |
topic_facet |
harbour seals haulout behaviour surveys abundance Ecology QH540-549.5 |
description |
The time of year and day, the state of the tide and prevailing environmental conditions significantly influence seal haulout behaviour. Understanding these effects is fundamentally important in deriving accurate estimates of harbour seal abundance from haulout data. We present a modelling approach to assess the influence of these variables on seals’ haulout behaviour and, by identifying the combination of covariates during which seal abundance is highest, predict the optimal time and conditions for future surveys. Count data of harbour seals at haulouts in southwest Ireland collected during 2003-2005 were included in mixed additive models together with environmental covariates, including season, time of day and weather conditions. The models show maximum abundance at haulout sites occurred during midday periods during August and in late afternoon/early evening during September. Accurate national and local population estimates are essential for the effective monitoring of the conservation status of the species and for the identification, management and monitoring of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) in accordance with the EU Habitats Directive. Our model based approach provides a useful tool for optimising the timing of harbourseal surveys in Ireland and the modelling framework is useful for predicting optimal survey periods for other protected, endangered or significant species worldwide. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Michelle Cronin Alain F Zuur Emer Rogan |
author_facet |
Michelle Cronin Alain F Zuur Emer Rogan |
author_sort |
Michelle Cronin |
title |
A modelling framework to optimize timing of haulout counts for estimating harbour seal ( Phoca vitulina ) abundance |
title_short |
A modelling framework to optimize timing of haulout counts for estimating harbour seal ( Phoca vitulina ) abundance |
title_full |
A modelling framework to optimize timing of haulout counts for estimating harbour seal ( Phoca vitulina ) abundance |
title_fullStr |
A modelling framework to optimize timing of haulout counts for estimating harbour seal ( Phoca vitulina ) abundance |
title_full_unstemmed |
A modelling framework to optimize timing of haulout counts for estimating harbour seal ( Phoca vitulina ) abundance |
title_sort |
modelling framework to optimize timing of haulout counts for estimating harbour seal ( phoca vitulina ) abundance |
publisher |
Septentrio Academic Publishing |
publishDate |
2010 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.7557/3.2686 https://doaj.org/article/6c241ffee2fd490f92b570ddc41740df |
genre |
harbour seal Phoca vitulina |
genre_facet |
harbour seal Phoca vitulina |
op_source |
NAMMCO Scientific Publications, Vol 8, Iss 0, Pp 213-225 (2010) |
op_relation |
https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/NAMMCOSP/article/view/2686 https://doaj.org/toc/1560-2206 https://doaj.org/toc/2309-2491 1560-2206 2309-2491 doi:10.7557/3.2686 https://doaj.org/article/6c241ffee2fd490f92b570ddc41740df |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.7557/3.2686 |
container_title |
NAMMCO Scientific Publications |
container_volume |
8 |
container_start_page |
213 |
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1766023275148738560 |