Using Passive Acoustic Data to Track Changes in Baleen Whale Distribution Throughout the Western North Atlantic Ocean
| Author | : Genevieve E. Davis |
| Publisher | : |
| Total Pages | : 0 |
| Release | : 2020 |
| Genre | : Baleen whales |
| ISBN | : |
Using Passive Acoustic Data To Track Changes In Baleen Whale Distribution Throughout The Western North Atlantic Ocean
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Clicks and Currents
| Author | : Rebecca Emily Cohen |
| Publisher | : |
| Total Pages | : 0 |
| Release | : 2022 |
| Genre | : |
| ISBN | : |
The western North Atlantic is a dynamic region characterized by the Gulf Stream western boundary current and inhabited by a diverse host of odontocete, or toothed whale, top predators. Their habitats are highly exploited by commercial fisheries, shipping, marine energy extraction, and naval exercises, subjecting them to a variety of potentially harmful interactions. Many of these species remain poorly understood due to the difficulties of observing them in the pelagic environment. Their habitat utilization and the impacts of anthropogenic activities are not well known. Over the past decade, passive acoustic data has become increasingly utilized for the study of a wide variety of marine animals, and offers several advantages over traditional line-transect visual survey methods. Passive acoustic devices can be deployed at offshore monitoring sites for long periods of time, enabling detection of even rare and cryptic species across seasons and sea states, and without altering animal behaviors. Here we utilized a large passive acoustic data set collected across a latitudinal habitat gradient in the western North Atlantic to address fundamental knowledge gaps in odontocete ecology. I approached the problem of discriminating between species based on spectral and temporal features of echolocation clicks by using machine learning to identify novel click types, and then matching these click types to species using spatiotemporal correlates. I was able to identify novel click types associated with short-beaked common dolphins, Risso's dolphins, and short-finned pilot whales in this way. Next I characterized temporal patterns in presence and activity for ten different species across our monitoring sites at three different temporal scales: seasonal, lunar, and diel. I observed spatiotemporal separation of apparent competitors, and complex behavioral patterns modulated by interactions between the seasonal, lunar, and diel cycles. Finally I investigated the relationships between species presence and oceanographic covariates to predict habitat suitability across the region, and explored niche partitioning between potentially competitive species. The insights gained here significantly advance our understanding of toothed whale ecology in this region, and can be used for more effective population assessments and management in the face of anthropogenic threats and climate change.
Temporal and Spatial Distributions of Baleen Whales in Central New Zealand, Based on Passive Acoustic Monitoring
| Author | : Victoria Warren |
| Publisher | : |
| Total Pages | : 0 |
| Release | : 2020 |
| Genre | : |
| ISBN | : |
Effective management of wild animal populations relies on an understanding of their spatio-temporal distributions, and how they overlap with threats. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is a non-invasive method to investigate the distribution of free-ranging species that reliably produce sound, and soundscape analysis enables an integrated approach whereby vocal species are sampled concurrently with ambient environmental information. Physical and acoustic overlaps between soundscape contributors can highlight potential interactions and threats. Worldwide, the distributions of baleen whales have proven difficult to study due to logistical constraints imposed by their offshore distributions and limited surface time. However, many baleen whales reliably produce stereotyped sound, and are therefore suitable to study acoustically. In the western South Pacific, weather and sea conditions have particularly constrained understanding of baleen whale distributions. Here, four acoustic recorders were deployed in the marine environment around central New Zealand to elucidate the spatio-temporal distributions of " ̃data deficient' baleen whales that frequent the region. The recorded data featured notable acoustic contributions from several baleen whale species. Seismic surveys, shipping and earthquakes overlapped in time, space, and frequency with baleen whale vocalisations, highlighting potential risks and stressors in New Zealand waters. An acoustic approach enabled pygmy blue whales (PBWs) to be distinguished from " ̃critically endangered' Antarctic blue whales (ABWs). PBWs were detected in the South Taranaki Bight (STB) throughout recording periods, and detection area modelling demonstrated that an aggregation of PBWs likely occurs in the STB; an industrial area. ABWs and humpback whales migrated through central New Zealand seasonally, with both species generally travelling north through Cook Strait and the STB, rather than along the east coast of the North Island. ABWs were also detected during their breeding season. Based on song content, the humpback whales were likely migrating to breed in New Caledonia, or East Australia, and song transmission may occur between the two breeding populations in the New Zealand migratory corridor. This study highlights the utility of PAM to map the distributions of free-ranging species and potential stressors, which can be challenging to study via alternative methods. Such data are essential to underpin conservation and management decisions.
Advancing Baleen Whale Acoustic and Habitat Monitoring in the Northwest Atlantic
| Author | : Hansen Dalmasse Johnson |
| Publisher | : |
| Total Pages | : 0 |
| Release | : 2022 |
| Genre | : |
| ISBN | : |
Baleen whales of the Northwest Atlantic live in an urbanized ocean. They attempt a slow recovery from commercial whaling amid threats from the infrastructure, pollution, and shifting environmental baseline associated with human exploitation of the natural world. Current risk mitigation strategies all rely on a comprehensive knowledge of whale distribution, which is difficult to obtain given limited resources, a vast ocean, and the cryptic nature of whale behaviour. This thesis strives to advance baleen whale monitoring with passive acoustics, habitat ecology, and new technology. Chapters 2 and 3 use several different approaches to improve the quality and interpretation of data derived from passive acoustic monitoring. Chapter 4 introduces "WhaleMap", a tool for rapidly collating and displaying whale survey results to inform dynamic research and management activities. Chapters 5 and 6 characterize associations among baleen whale species and their oceanographic habitat to identify priority areas and times for increased monitoring and/or risk mitigation. Particular focus is paid to the North Atlantic right whale because their dire conservation status motivates much of this work, but in many cases the results apply to other baleen whale species. It is our hope that the monitoring advancements put forward by this thesis lead directly to improved conservation outcomes that help preserve these species for generations to come.
HUMPBACK WHALE SINGING BEHAVIOUR IN THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC
| Author | : Katie Kowarski |
| Publisher | : |
| Total Pages | : 0 |
| Release | : 2020 |
| Genre | : |
| ISBN | : |
Marine passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is a valuable tool to assess the distribution, habitat use, and behaviour of marine mammals including the acoustically prolific humpback whale. With increasing amounts of data collected, the challenge of effectively mining PAM data for signals of interest and interpreting those signals is faced by researchers globally. I completed a literature review on the data analysis methods employed in PAM baleen whale studies (2000-2019) before exploring the dynamic and complex humpback repertoire, which is particularly challenging for PAM. The review revealed a spectrum of methodologies ranging from full manual data analysis by a human to fully automated techniques. I propose recommendations for future work to encourage the application of best practices that will result in more robust and comparable research. Humpback whale vocalizations have been studied for years, but little is known of when, where, and how seasonal male singing begins in the fall and ends in the spring. Acoustic recordings of humpback whale vocalizations from Canada, the U.S.A, and the Caribbean in 2015-2017 were manually analysed. Humpback whales were present from Labrador to Massachusetts Bay during the fall and early winter. Song development occurred gradually over weeks with vocalizations transitioning from non-song calls to song fragments to full songs. Initially sporadic in occurrence, singing began in September, but was not regularly heard until late October, when full songs were common. I found evidence that the onset of regular singing occurs earlier at lower latitudes, longer photoperiods, and higher temperatures. The theme order in early season full songs was variable, until December when theme order became more consistent with what was observed the previous spring. Dominican Republic breeding ground songs recorded in January and March were crystalized in terms of theme order. Song duration increased gradually through the breeding season. Spring song cessation was only captured at a single site/season in Canada and compared to song development, it was abrupt with few song fragments. These late season songs had consistent theme orders. I propose that the patterns observed here may in part be driven by physiological processes like those of songbirds.
Baleen Whale Acoustic Activity in the North Pacific
| Author | : Kathleen M. Stafford |
| Publisher | : |
| Total Pages | : 25 |
| Release | : 2007 |
| Genre | : |
| ISBN | : |
Unclassified historic acoustic data were used to examine long time scale changes in the seasonal and geographic occurrence of large whales in the Pacific and to correlate these changes with oceanographic variables such as sea surface temperature, chlorophyll a, etc. Distribution of northeastern Pacific blue whales (as indicated by the numbers of their calls), while insignificantly related to SST, did show a clear seasonal pattern both to chl a concentration (negative) and to the mixed layer depth (positive). It was speculated that the negative correlation with chl a might be due to a lag from primary to secondary productivity: as phytoplankton are eaten by zooplankton (which in turn become available to whales), the overall amount of chl a decreases. It is recommended that in collaboration with other agencies hydrophones be deployed in the northeastern Gulf of Alaska to provide current information on the occurrence of vocally active whale species, including low frequency baleen whales and higher frequency odontocetes. A likely time might be during the Northern Edge 2008 exercise in Prince William Sound. Meanwhile, a new efficient, low-power, low-cost recorder that can be easily deployed, in an array with other instruments or independently, from a mid-size vessel is being developed.
Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Mysticetes
| Author | : Christopher W. Clark |
| Publisher | : Springer Nature |
| Total Pages | : 390 |
| Release | : 2022-07-02 |
| Genre | : Science |
| ISBN | : 3030984494 |
In this book, an international team of leading marine mammal scientists, with a remarkably diverse set of backgrounds and areas of expertise, lead you through a synthesis of current knowledge on baleen whales. Baleen whales are the largest animals ever to have lived on this planet. They also have the lowest and most intense voices on Earth, most likely evolved to take advantage of ocean acoustic transmission conditions so as to be detectable across ocean basins. Some baleen whales can live to be 150-200 years old. They migrate many thousands of kilometers between feeding and breeding areas. They produce songs and calls that serve as behavioral foundations for establishing, maintaining and expanding their cultural identities. To conclude that we know the behavioral limits of these large brained, long-lived animals would be naïve. As baleen whale scientists, we are still beginning to comprehend the enormous complexities and natural histories of these remarkable animals. Today, the fact that whales sing is known throughout much of the world. This awareness started 50 years ago with the publication and popularization of a collection of humpback song recordings that motivated research into baleen whale behavioral ethology. In this book’s chapters, a reader’s experiences will stretch from learning about baleen whale laryngeal anatomy associated with their different voices to learning about the vast ocean areas over which their voices can be heard and the emerging complexities of their culturally defined societies. These are accompanied by chapters on the fundamental ethological contexts of socializing, migrating, and foraging. Two common themes permeate the book. One theme highlights the phenomenal increase in scientific knowledge achieved through technological advancements. The other theme recognizes the impacts of human-made activities on ocean acoustic environments and the resultant influences on the health and survival of individual whales and their populations. Although the book is intentionally ambitious in its scope, as scientists, we fully recognize that baleen whale science is still in its infancy. Many profound revelations await discovery by cohorts of young, multi-talented explorers, some of whom are stretching their wings in this volume and some of whom are reading these scientific stories for the first time.
Ecoacoustics
| Author | : Almo Farina |
| Publisher | : John Wiley & Sons |
| Total Pages | : 367 |
| Release | : 2017-07-24 |
| Genre | : Science |
| ISBN | : 1119230691 |
The sounds produced by geophonic, biophonic and technophonic sources are relevant to the function of natural and human modified ecosystems. Passive recording is one of the most non-invasive technologies as its use avoids human intrusion during acoustic surveys and facilitates the accumulation of huge amounts of acoustical data. For the first time, this book collates and reviews the science behind ecoaucostics; illustrating the principles, methods and applications of this exciting new field. Topics covered in this comprehensive volume include; the assessment of biodiversity based on sounds emanating from a variety of environments the best technologies and methods necessary to investigate environmental sounds implications for climate change and urban systems the relationship between landscape ecology and ecoacoustics the conservation of soundscapes and the social value of ecoacoustics areas of potential future research. An invaluable resource for scholars, researchers and students, Ecoacoustics: The Ecological Role of Sounds provides an unrivalled set of ideas, tools and references based on the current state of the field.
Acoustic Monitoring of Large Whales to the West of Britain and Ireland Using Bottom-mounted Hydrophone Arrays
| Author | : Christopher W. Clark |
| Publisher | : |
| Total Pages | : 38 |
| Release | : 1998 |
| Genre | : Animal sounds |
| ISBN | : |
Marine Mammals and Noise
| Author | : W. John Richardson |
| Publisher | : Academic Press |
| Total Pages | : 593 |
| Release | : 2013-10-22 |
| Genre | : Science |
| ISBN | : 0080573037 |
Many marine mammals communicate by emitting sounds that pass through water. Such sounds can be received across great distances and can influence the behavior of these undersea creatures. In the past few decades, the oceans have become increasingly noisy, as underwater sounds from propellers, sonars, and other human activities make it difficult for marine mammals to communicate. This book discusses, among many other topics, just how well marine mammals hear, how noisy the oceans have become, and what effects these new sounds have on marine mammals. The baseline of ambient noise, the sounds produced by machines and mammals, the sensitivity of marine mammal hearing, and the reactions of marine mammals are also examined. An essential addition to any marine biologist's library, Marine Mammals and Noise will be especially appealing to marine mammalogists, researchers, policy makers and regulators, and marine biologists and oceanographers using sound in their research.
