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Mattmüller RM, Thomisch K, Hoffman JI, Van Opzeeland I. Characterizing offshore polar ocean soundscapes using ecoacoustic intensity and diversity metrics. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:231917. [PMID: 39144498 PMCID: PMC11323090 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Polar offshore environments are considered the last pristine soundscapes, but accelerating climate change and increasing human activity threaten their integrity. In order to assess the acoustic state of polar oceans, there is the need to investigate their soundscape characteristics more holistically. We apply a set of 14 ecoacoustic metrics (EAMs) to identify which metrics are best suited to reflect the characteristics of disturbed and naturally intact polar offshore soundscapes. We used two soundscape datasets: (i) the Arctic eastern Fram Strait (FS), which is already impacted by anthropogenic noise, and (ii) the quasi-pristine Antarctic Weddell Sea (WS). Our results show that EAMs when applied in concert can be used to quantitatively assess soundscape variability, enabling the appraisal of marine soundscapes over broad spatiotemporal scales. The tested set of EAMs was able to show that the eastern FS, which is virtually free from sea ice, lacks seasonal soundscape dynamics and exhibits low acoustic complexity owing to year-round wind-mediated sounds and anthropogenic noise. By contrast, the WS exhibits pronounced seasonal soundscape dynamics with greater soundscape heterogeneity driven in large part by the vocal activity of marine mammal communities, whose composition in turn varies with the prevailing seasonal sea ice conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramona M. Mattmüller
- Department of Evolutionary Population Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld33615, Germany
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld33615, Germany
- Ocean Acoustics Group, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Bremerhaven27570, Germany
| | - Karolin Thomisch
- Ocean Acoustics Group, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Bremerhaven27570, Germany
| | - Joseph I. Hoffman
- Department of Evolutionary Population Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld33615, Germany
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld33615, Germany
- Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld33615, Germany
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 OET, UK
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), Bielefeld University and University of Münster, Bielefeld33615, Germany
| | - Ilse Van Opzeeland
- Ocean Acoustics Group, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Bremerhaven27570, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB), Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg26129, Germany
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Åsvestad L, Ahonen H, Menze S, Lowther A, Lindstrøm U, Krafft BA. Seasonal acoustic presence of marine mammals at the South Orkney Islands, Scotia Sea. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:230233. [PMID: 38179083 PMCID: PMC10762438 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Increased knowledge about marine mammal seasonal distribution and species assemblage from the South Orkney Islands waters is needed for the development of management regulations of the commercial fishery for Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) in this region. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) data were collected during the autumn and winter seasons in two consecutive years (2016, 2017), which represented highly contrasting environmental conditions due to the 2016 El Niño event. We explored differences in seasonal patterns in marine mammal acoustic presence between the two years in context of environmental cues and climate variability. Acoustic signals from five baleen whale species, two pinniped species and odontocete species were detected and separated into guilds. Although species diversity remained stable over time, the ice-avoiding and ice-affiliated species dominated before and after the onset of winter, respectively, and thus demonstrating a shift in guild composition related to season. Herein, we provide novel information about local marine mammal species diversity, community structure and residency times in a krill hotspot. Our study also demonstrates the utility of PAM data and its usefulness in providing new insights into the marine mammal habitat use and responses to environmental conditions, which are essential knowledge for the future development of a sustainable fishery management in a changing ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ulf Lindstrøm
- University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
- Institute of Marine Research, 9296 Tromsø Norway
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Filún D, van Opzeeland I. Spatial and temporal variability of the acoustic repertoire of Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) in the Weddell Sea. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11861. [PMID: 37481630 PMCID: PMC10363173 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38793-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the attribution of the bio-duck call to Antarctic minke whales (AMW Balaenoptera bonaerensis), different studies have retrospectively identified several bio-duck call types at various sites throughout the Southern Hemisphere. The function of their vocal behavior however, remains largely unknown. Further insights into their repertoire usage may help to reveal the function of their calls. Here, we use passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) data collected across six locations throughout the Weddell Sea (WS) in 2013 and from PALAOA Station (Ekström Ice Shelf, eastern WS) in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In 2013, we detected 11 bio-duck call types throughout the WS between May and December, with additional acoustic activity in February on the western recorder AMW calls fell into four general call clusters. Seasonal patterns of calls showed variability between locations and years. Furthermore, this is the first study to show that similar to other baleen whale species, AMWs also produce songs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Filún
- Ocean Acoustics Lab, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany.
- Centro FONDAP-de Investigación en Dinámica de Ecosistemas Marinos de Altas Latitudes (IDEAL), Valdivia, Chile.
| | - Ilse van Opzeeland
- Ocean Acoustics Lab, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB), Carl von Ossietzky University, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany
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Wöhle S, Burkhardt E, van Opzeeland I, Schall E. Exploring and verifying the acoustic presence of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) off Elephant Island, Antarctica. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 153:3301. [PMID: 37318450 DOI: 10.1121/10.0019633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) can be used to monitor acoustic presence and behaviour of cetaceans, providing continuous, long-term, and seasonally unbiased data. The efficiency of PAM methods, however, depends on the ability to detect and correctly interpret acoustic signals. The upcall is the most prevalent vocalization of the southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) and is commonly used as a basis for PAM studies on this species. However, previous studies report difficulties to distinguish between southern right whale upcalls and similar humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) vocalizations with certainty. Recently, vocalizations comparable to southern right whale upcalls were detected off Elephant Island, Antarctica. In this study, these vocalizations were structurally analyzed, and call characteristics were compared to (a) confirmed southern right whale vocalizations recorded off Argentina and (b) confirmed humpback whale vocalizations recorded in the Atlantic Sector of the Southern Ocean. Based on call features, detected upcalls off Elephant Island could be successfully attributed to southern right whales. Measurements describing slope and bandwidth were identified as the main differences in call characteristics between species. With the newly gained knowledge from this study, additional data can be analyzed providing further insight into temporal occurrence and migratory behaviour of southern right whales in Antarctic waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Wöhle
- Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Klußmannstraße 3d, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Elke Burkhardt
- Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Klußmannstraße 3d, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Ilse van Opzeeland
- Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Klußmannstraße 3d, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Elena Schall
- Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Klußmannstraße 3d, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
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Aulich MG, Miller BS, Samaran F, McCauley RD, Saunders BJ, Erbe C. Diel patterns of fin whale 20 Hz acoustic presence in Eastern Antarctic waters. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:220499. [PMID: 37090960 PMCID: PMC10113811 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
This study presents evidence of diel patterns in fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) 20 Hz acoustic presence in Eastern Antarctic waters. Passive acoustic recordings were collected at four sites in Eastern Antarctica from 2013 to 2019. A generalized linear model fitted by a generalized estimating equation was used to test the hypothesis that fin whale 20 Hz acoustic presence shows significant variation between light regimes dawn, day, dusk and night. In the Indian sector of Antarctica, at the Prydz and Southern Kerguelen Plateau sites, fin whale acoustic presence was significantly more common during the night and dawn before declining during the day and dusk periods. A different diel pattern was observed in the Pacific sector, at the Dumont d'Urville site: fin whale acoustic presence was significantly more common during the day than dusk and night periods. No diel pattern was identified at the Casey site. The identified diel patterns in the Indian sector of Eastern Antarctica correlate with previously identified diel patterns of the fin whales' prey. We suggest an indirect association between fin whale acoustic presence and foraging, with the animals more likely to produce the 20 Hz pulse during the night when not foraging and less likely to vocalize when foraging during the day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan G. Aulich
- Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Brian S. Miller
- Australian Antarctic Division, 203 Channel Highway, Kingston, TAS 7050, Australia
| | - Flore Samaran
- Lab-STICC CNRS UMR 6285, ENSTA Bretagne, Brest 29802, France
| | - Robert D. McCauley
- Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Benjamin J. Saunders
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Christine Erbe
- Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
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Sattar F. A New Acoustical Autonomous Method for Identifying Endangered Whale Calls: A Case Study of Blue Whale and Fin Whale. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:3048. [PMID: 36991759 PMCID: PMC10056851 DOI: 10.3390/s23063048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we study to improve acoustical methods to identify endangered whale calls with emphasis on the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) and fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). A promising method using wavelet scattering transform and deep learning is proposed here to detect/classify the whale calls quite precisely in the increasingly noisy ocean with a small dataset. The performances shown in terms of classification accuracy (>97%) demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method which outperforms the relevant state-of-the-art methods. In this way, passive acoustic technology can be enhanced to monitor endangered whale calls. Efficient tracking of their numbers, migration paths and habitat become vital to whale conservation by lowering the number of preventable injuries and deaths while making progress in their recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farook Sattar
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
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Herr H, Hickmott L, Viquerat S, Panigada S. First evidence for fin whale migration into the Pacific from Antarctic feeding grounds at Elephant Island. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220721. [PMID: 36147939 PMCID: PMC9490345 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study presents the first long-distance tracks of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) equipped with satellite transmitters off the Antarctic Peninsula. Southern Hemisphere fin whales were severely depleted by twentieth century industrial whaling, yet recently, they have returned to historical feeding grounds off the northern Antarctic Peninsula, forming large aggregations in austral summers. To date, our knowledge only extended to summer behaviour, while information regarding migration routes and the location of breeding and wintering grounds are lacking. During the austral autumn of 2021, we deployed nsatellite transmitters on four fin whales at Elephant Island. Two transmitters stopped working while the animals were still at the feeding grounds, while two continued to transmit during the transition from feeding activity to migration. Both migrating animals left the feeding ground on 15 April 2021, travelling northward into the Pacific and up along the Chilean coast. The most northerly position received before all tags stopped transmitting on 1 May 2021 was at 48°S. These tracks provide initial evidence of seasonal migratory routes and a first indication toward possible locations of winter destinations. This information, even if preliminary, is critical for investigations of population connectivity, population structure and the identification of breeding grounds of Southern Hemisphere fin whales.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Herr
- Institute of Marine Ecosystem and Fishery Science, Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, University of Hamburg, Große Elbstraße 133, Hamburg 22767, Germany
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, Bremerhaven 27570, Germany
| | - L. Hickmott
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK
- Open Ocean Consulting, 3b Oaklands Road, Petersfield, Hampshire GU32 2EY, UK
| | - S. Viquerat
- Institute of Marine Ecosystem and Fishery Science, Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, University of Hamburg, Große Elbstraße 133, Hamburg 22767, Germany
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, Bremerhaven 27570, Germany
| | - S. Panigada
- Tethys Research Institute, Viale G.B. Gadio 2, Milan 20121, Italy
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Herr H, Viquerat S, Devas F, Lees A, Wells L, Gregory B, Giffords T, Beecham D, Meyer B. Return of large fin whale feeding aggregations to historical whaling grounds in the Southern Ocean. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9458. [PMID: 35798799 PMCID: PMC9262878 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13798-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus quoyi) of the Southern Hemisphere were brought to near extinction by twentieth century industrial whaling. For decades, they had all but disappeared from previously highly frequented feeding grounds in Antarctic waters. Our dedicated surveys now confirm their return to ancestral feeding grounds, gathering at the Antarctic Peninsula in large aggregations to feed. We report on the results of an abundance survey and present the first scientific documentation of large fin whale feeding aggregations at Elephant Island, Antarctica, including the first ever video documentation. We interpret high densities, re-establishment of historical behaviours and the return to ancestral feeding grounds as signs for a recovering population. Recovery of a large whale population has the potential to augment primary productivity at their feeding grounds through the effects of nutrient recycling, known as 'the whale pump'. The recovery of fin whales in that area could thus restore ecosystem functions crucial for atmospheric carbon regulation in the world's most important ocean region for the uptake of anthropogenic CO2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Herr
- Institute of Marine Ecosystem and Fishery Science, Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, University of Hamburg, Große Elbstraße 133, 22767, Hamburg, Germany. .,Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany.
| | - Sacha Viquerat
- Institute of Marine Ecosystem and Fishery Science, Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, University of Hamburg, Große Elbstraße 133, 22767, Hamburg, Germany.,Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Fredi Devas
- BBC Studios, Natural History Unit, Bridgewaterhouse, Counterslip, Bristol, UK
| | - Abigail Lees
- BBC Studios, Natural History Unit, Bridgewaterhouse, Counterslip, Bristol, UK
| | - Lucy Wells
- BBC Studios, Natural History Unit, Bridgewaterhouse, Counterslip, Bristol, UK
| | - Bertie Gregory
- BBC Studios, Natural History Unit, Bridgewaterhouse, Counterslip, Bristol, UK
| | - Ted Giffords
- BBC Studios, Natural History Unit, Bridgewaterhouse, Counterslip, Bristol, UK
| | - Dan Beecham
- BBC Studios, Natural History Unit, Bridgewaterhouse, Counterslip, Bristol, UK
| | - Bettina Meyer
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany.,Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Straße 9-11, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at the University of Oldenburg (HIFMB), Ammerländer Heerstraße 231, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany
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Wood M, Širović A. Characterization of fin whale song off the Western Antarctic Peninsula. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264214. [PMID: 35271610 PMCID: PMC8912240 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Song is produced by a variety of terrestrial and marine animals and is particularly common among baleen whales. Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) song is comprised of relatively simple 20 Hz pulses produced at regular intervals. The timing of these intervals, in addition to the presence and frequency of overtones, appears to be unique to each population. The purpose of this study was to characterize Western Antarctic Peninsula fin whale song and describe temporal pattern variations in song type and occurrence. Recordings were collected in the area from 2001-2004 and again 2014-2016. One song type was identified with a primary inter-pulse interval (IPI) of approximately 14 s and secondary IPI of 12.5 s. This song occurred in three pattern variants: singlet, doublet, and long triplet. The interval between pulses increased by 1.5 s between recording periods while the frequency of the overtones decreased from 89 Hz to 86 Hz. Song was never recorded in August and while it was recorded at other times in some years, it was consistently present in recordings from April through June across all years. While multiple pattern variants were present each year, singlets were generally the most prevalent variant. Doublets and triplets occurred from February through June, with highest levels of variants in February. In later years the triplet variant presence increased and in 2016 it comprised 53% of recorded song bouts. Further research is needed to understand the reasons why song changes over time and to examine the feasibility of using song to delineate and identify populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Wood
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States of America
| | - Ana Širović
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States of America
- Biology Department, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Romagosa M, Pérez-Jorge S, Cascão I, Mouriño H, Lehodey P, Pereira A, Marques TA, Matias L, Silva MA. Food talk: 40-Hz fin whale calls are associated with prey biomass. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20211156. [PMID: 34229495 PMCID: PMC8261222 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals use varied acoustic signals that play critical roles in their lives. Understanding the function of these signals may inform about key life-history processes relevant for conservation. In the case of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), that produce different call types associated with different behaviours, several hypotheses have emerged regarding call function, but the topic still remains in its infancy. Here, we investigate the potential function of two fin whale vocalizations, the song-forming 20-Hz call and the 40-Hz call, by examining their production in relation to season, year and prey biomass. Our results showed that the production of 20-Hz calls was strongly influenced by season, with a clear peak during the breeding months, and secondarily by year, likely due to changes in whale abundance. These results support the reproductive function of the 20-Hz song used as an acoustic display. Conversely, season and year had no effect on variation in 40-Hz calling rates, but prey biomass did. This is the first study linking 40-Hz call activity to prey biomass, supporting the previously suggested food-associated function of this call. Understanding the functions of animal signals can help identifying functional habitats and predict the negative effects of human activities with important implications for conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Romagosa
- Okeanos – Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar, Universidade dos Açores & IMAR – Instituto do Mar, Horta, Portugal
| | - Sergi Pérez-Jorge
- Okeanos – Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar, Universidade dos Açores & IMAR – Instituto do Mar, Horta, Portugal
| | - Irma Cascão
- Okeanos – Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar, Universidade dos Açores & IMAR – Instituto do Mar, Horta, Portugal
| | - Helena Mouriño
- Centro de Matemática, Aplicações Fundamentais e Investigação Operacional, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Patrick Lehodey
- Collecte Localisation Satellite (CLS), Ramonville St Agne, France
| | - Andreia Pereira
- Instituto Dom Luiz (IDL), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago A. Marques
- Centro de Estatística e Aplicações, Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Luís Matias
- Instituto Dom Luiz (IDL), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mónica A. Silva
- Okeanos – Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar, Universidade dos Açores & IMAR – Instituto do Mar, Horta, Portugal
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Burkhardt E, Van Opzeeland I, Cisewski B, Mattmüller R, Meister M, Schall E, Spiesecke S, Thomisch K, Zwicker S, Boebel O. Seasonal and diel cycles of fin whale acoustic occurrence near Elephant Island, Antarctica. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:201142. [PMID: 34084537 PMCID: PMC8150045 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.201142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the relevance of the Elephant Island (EI) region for Southern Hemisphere fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in their annual life cycle. We collected 3 years of passive acoustic recordings (January 2013 to February 2016) northwest of EI to calculate time series of fin whale acoustic indices, daily acoustic occurrence, spectrograms, as well as the abundance of their 20 Hz pulses. Acoustic backscatter strength, sea ice concentration and chlorophyll-a composites provided concurrent environmental information for graphic comparisons. Acoustic interannual, seasonal and diel patterns together with visual information and literature resources were used to define the period of occupancy and to infer potential drivers for their behaviour. Spectral results suggest that these fin whales migrate annually to and from offshore central Chile. Acoustic data and visual information reveal their arrival at EI in December to feed without producing their typical 20 Hz pulse. For all 3 years, acoustic activity commences in February, peaks in May and decreases in August, in phase with the onset of their breeding season. Our results emphasize the importance of EI for fin whales throughout most of the year. Our recommendation is to consider EI for establishing a marine protected area to expedite the recovery of this vulnerable species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Burkhardt
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Ilse Van Opzeeland
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB), Carl von Ossietzky University, Ammerländer Heerstraße 231, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Boris Cisewski
- Thünen Institute of Sea Fisheries, Herwigstraße 31, 27572 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Ramona Mattmüller
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Marlene Meister
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Elena Schall
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Stefanie Spiesecke
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Karolin Thomisch
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Sarah Zwicker
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Olaf Boebel
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
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