Naval International Cooperative Opportunities in Science and Technology Program (NICOP) Whales in Estuaries: Glider surveys and fixed time series for explaining distribution
Abstract
We propose a process-oriented approach to understand large whale distribution in mega-estuaries in space and time by coupling passive acoustic data with oceanographic and prey data. Our approach is multidisciplinary and employs glider surveys and moored instrument"s, which will allow us to examine broad temporal (tidal, synoptic, seasonal, inter-annual) and spatial (~50 km) scales. We will be u""sing an existing glider hydrophone package developed with previous ONR funding, the digital acoustic monitoring instrument (DMON), a"nd combining it with other methods (moored instruments) to develop new approaches to studying whale ecology using existing technologies. Understanding how and why marine mammals are distributed in" ocean environments is of fundamental importance for an integrated understanding of marine ecosystems, conservation and management o""f marine territories. In this project, we will directly address (1) the knowledge gap in the mechanistic understanding of the enviro""nmental processes that drive large whale distribution in all marine systems (especially in estuaries), and (2) the lack of mechanist""ic studies that incorporate passive acoustics in general. Our approach provides the basis for not only understanding, but also predi""cting large whale distribution in mega-estuaries. This is central to the ""Integrated Ecosystem Research"" theme of the ONR Marine Mam"mal program. The proposed work will be carried out in the inner se"a of Northern Chilean Patagonia, the largest estuarine system on earth and a known feeding ground for blue, humpback, sei, minke, an""d southern right whales. In this project, we combine existing oceanographic research infrastructure and experience in Chile, gained"" by COPAS Sur-Austral Center at the University of Concepcion over almost a decade of work in Patagonia, with the extensive U.S. rese""arch expertise in passive acoustics, biological oceanography and marine mammals from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Un""ivesity of Washington, and in physical oceanography of estuaries from the University of Florida." At the end of this project we will be able to recommend a methodological approach that can be applied to estuarine systems elsewhere in the world. The results of this study will be presented at an int"ernational scientific conference (e.g., the Society for Marine Mammalogy Biennial meeting, a regional scientific conference in Latin"" America such as the Latin American Society of Aquatic Mammal Experts (SOLAMAC) meeting, and a closed meeting at the ONR Global offi"ce in Santiago. We will also produce a minimum of 2 peer-reviewed articles in high impact factor journals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 07, 2017
- Source ID
- N000141712606
Entities
People
- Susannah J. Buchan
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Concepción