The influence of topographic and dynamic cyclic variables on the distribution of small cetaceans in a shallow coastal system.
The influence of topographic and temporal variables on cetacean distribution at a fine-scale is still poorly understood. To study the spatial and temporal distribution of harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena and the poorly known Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus we carried out land-based observatio...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:7e6efc158beb4e52b2119b9e6181afd3 2023-05-15T16:33:28+02:00 The influence of topographic and dynamic cyclic variables on the distribution of small cetaceans in a shallow coastal system. Marijke N de Boer Mark P Simmonds Peter J H Reijnders Geert Aarts 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0086331 https://doaj.org/article/7e6efc158beb4e52b2119b9e6181afd3 EN eng Public Library of Science (PLoS) http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3899228?pdf=render https://doaj.org/toc/1932-6203 1932-6203 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0086331 https://doaj.org/article/7e6efc158beb4e52b2119b9e6181afd3 PLoS ONE, Vol 9, Iss 1, p e86331 (2014) Medicine R Science Q article 2014 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0086331 2022-12-31T11:53:55Z The influence of topographic and temporal variables on cetacean distribution at a fine-scale is still poorly understood. To study the spatial and temporal distribution of harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena and the poorly known Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus we carried out land-based observations from Bardsey Island (Wales, UK) in summer (2001-2007). Using Kernel analysis and Generalized Additive Models it was shown that porpoises and Risso's appeared to be linked to topographic and dynamic cyclic variables with both species using different core areas (dolphins to the West and porpoises to the East off Bardsey). Depth, slope and aspect and a low variation in current speed (for Risso's) were important in explaining the patchy distributions for both species. The prime temporal conditions in these shallow coastal systems were related to the tidal cycle (Low Water Slack and the flood phase), lunar cycle (a few days following the neap tidal phase), diel cycle (afternoons) and seasonal cycle (peaking in August) but differed between species on a temporary but predictable basis. The measure of tidal stratification was shown to be important. Coastal waters generally show a stronger stratification particularly during neap tides upon which the phytoplankton biomass at the surface rises reaching its maximum about 2-3 days after neap tide. It appeared that porpoises occurred in those areas where stratification is maximised and Risso's preferred more mixed waters. This fine-scale study provided a temporal insight into spatial distribution of two species that single studies conducted over broader scales (tens or hundreds of kilometers) do not achieve. Understanding which topographic and cyclic variables drive the patchy distribution of porpoises and Risso's in a Headland/Island system may form the initial basis for identifying potentially critical habitats for these species. Article in Journal/Newspaper Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles PLoS ONE 9 1 e86331 |
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topic |
Medicine R Science Q |
spellingShingle |
Medicine R Science Q Marijke N de Boer Mark P Simmonds Peter J H Reijnders Geert Aarts The influence of topographic and dynamic cyclic variables on the distribution of small cetaceans in a shallow coastal system. |
topic_facet |
Medicine R Science Q |
description |
The influence of topographic and temporal variables on cetacean distribution at a fine-scale is still poorly understood. To study the spatial and temporal distribution of harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena and the poorly known Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus we carried out land-based observations from Bardsey Island (Wales, UK) in summer (2001-2007). Using Kernel analysis and Generalized Additive Models it was shown that porpoises and Risso's appeared to be linked to topographic and dynamic cyclic variables with both species using different core areas (dolphins to the West and porpoises to the East off Bardsey). Depth, slope and aspect and a low variation in current speed (for Risso's) were important in explaining the patchy distributions for both species. The prime temporal conditions in these shallow coastal systems were related to the tidal cycle (Low Water Slack and the flood phase), lunar cycle (a few days following the neap tidal phase), diel cycle (afternoons) and seasonal cycle (peaking in August) but differed between species on a temporary but predictable basis. The measure of tidal stratification was shown to be important. Coastal waters generally show a stronger stratification particularly during neap tides upon which the phytoplankton biomass at the surface rises reaching its maximum about 2-3 days after neap tide. It appeared that porpoises occurred in those areas where stratification is maximised and Risso's preferred more mixed waters. This fine-scale study provided a temporal insight into spatial distribution of two species that single studies conducted over broader scales (tens or hundreds of kilometers) do not achieve. Understanding which topographic and cyclic variables drive the patchy distribution of porpoises and Risso's in a Headland/Island system may form the initial basis for identifying potentially critical habitats for these species. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Marijke N de Boer Mark P Simmonds Peter J H Reijnders Geert Aarts |
author_facet |
Marijke N de Boer Mark P Simmonds Peter J H Reijnders Geert Aarts |
author_sort |
Marijke N de Boer |
title |
The influence of topographic and dynamic cyclic variables on the distribution of small cetaceans in a shallow coastal system. |
title_short |
The influence of topographic and dynamic cyclic variables on the distribution of small cetaceans in a shallow coastal system. |
title_full |
The influence of topographic and dynamic cyclic variables on the distribution of small cetaceans in a shallow coastal system. |
title_fullStr |
The influence of topographic and dynamic cyclic variables on the distribution of small cetaceans in a shallow coastal system. |
title_full_unstemmed |
The influence of topographic and dynamic cyclic variables on the distribution of small cetaceans in a shallow coastal system. |
title_sort |
influence of topographic and dynamic cyclic variables on the distribution of small cetaceans in a shallow coastal system. |
publisher |
Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
publishDate |
2014 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0086331 https://doaj.org/article/7e6efc158beb4e52b2119b9e6181afd3 |
genre |
Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena |
genre_facet |
Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena |
op_source |
PLoS ONE, Vol 9, Iss 1, p e86331 (2014) |
op_relation |
http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3899228?pdf=render https://doaj.org/toc/1932-6203 1932-6203 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0086331 https://doaj.org/article/7e6efc158beb4e52b2119b9e6181afd3 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0086331 |
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PLoS ONE |
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9 |
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1 |
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e86331 |
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