The Population Consequences of Disturbance Model Application to North Atlantic Right Whales (Eubalaena glacialis)
Abstract
Anthropogenic noise is known to cause both behavioral and physiological changes in marine mammals, but the potential for long-term population effects is not known. The Population Consequences of Acoustic Disurbance (PCAD) model (NRC 2005) provided a framework to trace the effects of acoustic disturbance through the life history of a marine mammal to its population status. Recent developments in the PCAD working group have led to modified analyses (now defined as PCOD Population Consequences Of Disturbance) designed to determine if the effects of any disturbance can be traced from individuals to the population by way of changes in either behavior or physiology (see Figure 1). In North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis), extensive data on health and body condition, anthropogenic impacts, and individual life history exists. The primary goal of this study is to model visual observations of health, human impacts, and whale locations to estimates of true underlying condition and individual level survival for right whales. A secondary goal is to develop approaches for modeling fecundity. Finally, a workshop to be held in January of 2013 will explore the feasibility of incorporating acoustics, prey variability, and the spatial characteristics of human activities into the PCOD model.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA573546
Entities
People
- Amy R. Knowlton
- Rob Schick
- Rosaland M. Rolland
- Scott D. Kraus
Organizations
- New England Aquarium