Towards an Understanding of the Cumulative Effects of Multiple Stressors on Marine Mammals - an Interdisciplinary Working Group with Case Studies
Abstract
The overall goal of the proposed research is to advance understanding of the cumulative effects of multiple stressors on marine mammals, both at the level of individuals and populations. An interdisciplinary working group (WG) will refine current models of cumulative effects, guide case studies undertaken by the broader group, identify applications for new technologies as they develop, and act as an information and idea exchange among researchers and managers from outside this project working on cumulative effects. The WG will develop quantitative methods to predict behavioral and physiological responses to two or more stressors, apply these approaches in case studies, and use the results to help construct a Population Consequences of Multiple Stressors (PCoMS) model for each case study. Three case studies will be considered: one involving the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), one with northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), and one on well-studied bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) populations in the SE US. The dolphin case study will use veterinary health assessment to study interactions for stressors that share the same mechanisticpathways for adverse effects. The other two case studies will develop methods to study interaction between stressors using health measures suitable for animals unavailable for hands-on health assessment. We also will develop and trial new technologies such as epigenetics for assessing adverse health and ecosystem-level effects, which are critical for assessing cumulative effects, broadening our ability to measure health and interactions in diverse species including large whales for which there are currently limited tools available.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 06, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112096
Entities
People
- Peter Tyack
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of St Andrews