Oil spill preparedness planning: filling critical species data gaps using habitat suitability modelling

• Main Authors: St. Germain, Candice, Finney, Jessica, Fields, Cole, Gregr, Edward, Hannah, Lucie, Jeffery, Sharon
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Western CEDAR 2018
• Subjects: Habitat suitability model; species distribution model; Oceans Protection Program; Area Response Plan; Regional Response Plan; oil spill; vulnerability assessment; Strait of Georgia; Salish; Fresh Water Studies; Life Sciences; Marine Biology; Natural Resources and Conservation; Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology; Pacific; baleen whales
• Online Access: https://cedar.wwu.edu/ssec/2018ssec/allsessions/419; https://cedar.wwu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2854&context=ssec

Under the World Class Tanker Safety System Initiative (WCTSS) a national framework was developed to identify marine biological organisms most vulnerable to ship-source oil spills. The Pacific regional application of this framework identified 27 highly vulnerable biological groups, with sea grasses, salt marsh grasses/succulents, sea otters, and baleen whales at the top of the list. A gap analysis during the Pacific regional application identified critical species data gaps that must now be filled to ensure effective response in marine oil spill emergencies. In the absence of robust species distribution and abundance data, habitat suitability models can be used to predict this information using environmental spatial data layers and limited species distribution data. The Oceans Protection Plan (OPP) Habitat Suitability Modelling team is developing a workbook of standardized habitat suitability modelling approaches to illustrate how critical species data gaps may be filled. This workbook will include recommendations for data requirements, models to use, and how to deal with modelling challenges. Models will be developed and tested using data from Canada’s North Central Coast study area and then applied in the Salish Sea to the Strait of Georgia study area in support of the south coast Area Response Plan. In addition to the modelling workbook and model predictions, another major output of this project is the extension of bottom type classification layers from 50-200 m depth, which will be useful for other marine spatial planning analyses. The habitat suitability modelling workbook, model predictions, and extended bottom type classification layers will serve as valuable pieces in the larger puzzle of international transboundary ecosystem protection and recovery.