Species distribution modeling of deep-diving cetaceans

Publication Date

10-1-2023

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Marine Mammal Science

Volume

39

Issue

4

DOI

10.1111/mms.13057

First Page

1178

Last Page

1203

Abstract

Species distribution models (SDMs) have been developed and extensively validated for diverse cetaceans within the California Current Ecosystem off the West Coast of the United States. These studies have recognized the challenges associated with developing robust models for deep-diving cetaceans—sperm whales and beaked whales—thus limiting the accuracy of predictions for management and ecological understanding. In this study, we explore whether additional biologically relevant predictor variables can improve models for deep-divers. These variables are related to the oxygen minimum layer and phytoplankton and micronekton biomass and could influence prey availability for cetacean top predators. We found that the addition of these variables improved the performance of SDMs for sperm whales, as well as for some more common baleen whale and dolphin species, but that the accuracy of deep-diver models was nevertheless poor. The sightings data sets for deep-diving cetaceans have small sample sizes compared to other cetaceans, and sightings are distributed nearly randomly across the study area and model domain. These factors hinder the development of useful environmentally driven models of spatial distribution.

Keywords

beaked whale, California Current, species distribution model, sperm whale

Department

Moss Landing Marine Laboratories

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