Biomechanical and energetic analyses of whale-borne tag sensor data to assess the population consequence of acoustic disturbance
Abstract
The specific objectives of the proposed work include: amass and archive cetacean tag data from colleagues on US Navy funded projects; quantify the fine scale kinematics of cetacean movements; analyze the biomechanics of swimming, maneuvering, and feeding; determine the energetic scop and energy budgets of cetacean foraging; and calculate the short-term and long-term energetic consequences of acoustic disturbance. Previous research has identified quantifiable changes in cetacean foraging behavior from both simulated and real military sonar. However, it is unknown whether behavioral responses to military sonar represent biologically significant impacts to either individuals or populations. Available analytical and predictive models currently limit our readiness and ability to provide a quantitative assessment of the biological consequences of acoustic disturbance. The proposed research addresses this dearth in our understanding of the short-term and long-term consequences of acoustic disturbance through a computational analysis of whale-borne tag data to quantify the fine-scale kinematics and energetics of foraging. Not only will the results of this research determine the biological significance of known behavioral responses, but this approach will also predict the level of disturbance that would induce dramatic population declines. This research will provide the Navy with the tools needed to modulate noise impact to below a critical population impact for Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act regulations. The proposed work will enhance ongoing and proposed projects representing major Navy investment, and also has basic and applied relevance for several Navy programs, including maritime sensing (code 321), marine mammal biology (Code 322), and biorobotics (code 341).
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 23, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141612477
Entities
People
- Jeremy A. Goldbogen
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Stanford University
- United States Navy