Habitat preferences and distribution of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) west of Scotland
The west coast of Scotland is comprised of complex coastlines and topography, and a range of physical processes influence its coastal marine environment. The region is host to one of the highest densities of harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena in Europe. The aim of this study was to identify habitat...
Published in: | Marine Ecology Progress Series |
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Online Access: | https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk/portal/en/researchoutput/habitat-preferences-and-distribution-of-harbour-porpoise-phocoena-phocoena-west-of-scotland(4d97d412-bb0f-47b0-94fd-838b7f4d4c61).html https://doi.org/10.3354/meps10239 https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/bitstream/10023/16209/1/MarEcolProgSer478p273.pdf |
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ftunstandrewcris:oai:risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk:publications/4d97d412-bb0f-47b0-94fd-838b7f4d4c61 2023-05-15T16:33:16+02:00 Habitat preferences and distribution of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) west of Scotland Booth, C. G. Embling, C. Gordon, J. Calderan, S. V. Hammond, Philip Steven 2013-03-25 application/pdf https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk/portal/en/researchoutput/habitat-preferences-and-distribution-of-harbour-porpoise-phocoena-phocoena-west-of-scotland(4d97d412-bb0f-47b0-94fd-838b7f4d4c61).html https://doi.org/10.3354/meps10239 https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/bitstream/10023/16209/1/MarEcolProgSer478p273.pdf eng eng info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess Booth , C G , Embling , C , Gordon , J , Calderan , S V & Hammond , P S 2013 , ' Habitat preferences and distribution of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) west of Scotland ' , Marine Ecology Progress Series , vol. 478 , pp. 273–285 . https://doi.org/10.3354/meps10239 Harbour porpoise Habitat preference Distribution Interannual variability article 2013 ftunstandrewcris https://doi.org/10.3354/meps10239 2021-12-26T14:22:39Z The west coast of Scotland is comprised of complex coastlines and topography, and a range of physical processes influence its coastal marine environment. The region is host to one of the highest densities of harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena in Europe. The aim of this study was to identify habitat preferences driving the distribution of harbour porpoise, to gain a better understanding of the spatial distribution of the species in the region, as well as to assess the consistency of such patterns across time and space. Visual and acoustic line-transect surveys were conducted between 2003 and 2010. Generalised Additive Models (GAMs) with Generalised Estimating Equations (GEEs) were used to robustly determine relationships between the relative density of harbour porpoises and temporally and spatially variable oceanographic covariates. Predictive models showed that depth, slope, spring tidal range and distance to land were consistently important in explaining porpoise distribution. Consistent preferences for water depths between 50 and 150 m and highly sloped regions were observed across the temporal models. Predicted distributions revealed a consistent inshore presence for the species throughout the west coast of Scotland and confirmed that predictable oceanographic features could help inform the establishment of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for the species. Article in Journal/Newspaper Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena University of St Andrews: Research Portal Marine Ecology Progress Series 478 273 285 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
University of St Andrews: Research Portal |
op_collection_id |
ftunstandrewcris |
language |
English |
topic |
Harbour porpoise Habitat preference Distribution Interannual variability |
spellingShingle |
Harbour porpoise Habitat preference Distribution Interannual variability Booth, C. G. Embling, C. Gordon, J. Calderan, S. V. Hammond, Philip Steven Habitat preferences and distribution of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) west of Scotland |
topic_facet |
Harbour porpoise Habitat preference Distribution Interannual variability |
description |
The west coast of Scotland is comprised of complex coastlines and topography, and a range of physical processes influence its coastal marine environment. The region is host to one of the highest densities of harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena in Europe. The aim of this study was to identify habitat preferences driving the distribution of harbour porpoise, to gain a better understanding of the spatial distribution of the species in the region, as well as to assess the consistency of such patterns across time and space. Visual and acoustic line-transect surveys were conducted between 2003 and 2010. Generalised Additive Models (GAMs) with Generalised Estimating Equations (GEEs) were used to robustly determine relationships between the relative density of harbour porpoises and temporally and spatially variable oceanographic covariates. Predictive models showed that depth, slope, spring tidal range and distance to land were consistently important in explaining porpoise distribution. Consistent preferences for water depths between 50 and 150 m and highly sloped regions were observed across the temporal models. Predicted distributions revealed a consistent inshore presence for the species throughout the west coast of Scotland and confirmed that predictable oceanographic features could help inform the establishment of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for the species. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Booth, C. G. Embling, C. Gordon, J. Calderan, S. V. Hammond, Philip Steven |
author_facet |
Booth, C. G. Embling, C. Gordon, J. Calderan, S. V. Hammond, Philip Steven |
author_sort |
Booth, C. G. |
title |
Habitat preferences and distribution of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) west of Scotland |
title_short |
Habitat preferences and distribution of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) west of Scotland |
title_full |
Habitat preferences and distribution of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) west of Scotland |
title_fullStr |
Habitat preferences and distribution of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) west of Scotland |
title_full_unstemmed |
Habitat preferences and distribution of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) west of Scotland |
title_sort |
habitat preferences and distribution of harbour porpoise (phocoena phocoena) west of scotland |
publishDate |
2013 |
url |
https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk/portal/en/researchoutput/habitat-preferences-and-distribution-of-harbour-porpoise-phocoena-phocoena-west-of-scotland(4d97d412-bb0f-47b0-94fd-838b7f4d4c61).html https://doi.org/10.3354/meps10239 https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/bitstream/10023/16209/1/MarEcolProgSer478p273.pdf |
genre |
Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena |
genre_facet |
Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena |
op_source |
Booth , C G , Embling , C , Gordon , J , Calderan , S V & Hammond , P S 2013 , ' Habitat preferences and distribution of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) west of Scotland ' , Marine Ecology Progress Series , vol. 478 , pp. 273–285 . https://doi.org/10.3354/meps10239 |
op_rights |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.3354/meps10239 |
container_title |
Marine Ecology Progress Series |
container_volume |
478 |
container_start_page |
273 |
op_container_end_page |
285 |
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1766022979731324928 |