Distribution maps of cetacean and seabird populations in the North‐East Atlantic

Distribution maps of cetaceans and seabirds at basin and monthly scales are needed for conservation and marine management. These are usually created from standardized and systematic aerial and vessel surveys, with recorded animal densities interpolated across study areas. However, distribution maps...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	The Journal of applied ecology Vol. 57; no. 2; pp. 253 - 269
Main Authors:	Waggitt, James J., Evans, Peter G. H., Andrade, Joana, Banks, Alex N., Boisseau, Oliver, Bolton, Mark, Bradbury, Gareth, Brereton, Tom, Camphuysen, Cornelis Jan, Durinck, Jan, Felce, Tom, Fijn, Ruben Christiaan, Garcia‐Baron, Isabel, Garthe, Stefan, Geelhoed, Steve C. V., Gilles, Anita, Goodall, Martin, Haelters, Jan, Hamilton, Sally, Hartny‐Mills, Lauren, Hodgins, Nicola, James, Kathy, Jessopp, Mark, Kavanagh, Ailbhe S., Leopold, Mardik, Lohrengel, Katrin, Louzao, Maite, Markones, Nele, Martínez-Cedeira, Jose, Ó Cadhla, Oliver, Perry, Sarah L., Pierce, Graham J., Ridoux, Vincent, Robinson, Kevin P., Santos, M. Begoña, Saavedra, Camilo, Skov, Henrik, Stienen, Eric W. M., Sveegaard, Signe, Thompson, Paul, Vanermen, Nicolas, Wall, Dave, Webb, Andy, Wilson, Jared, Wanless, Sarah, Hiddink, Jan Geert, Punt, Andre
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-02-2020 Wiley
Subjects:	Aerial surveys Anthropogenic factors Aquatic birds Bay of Biscay Celtic Sea Cetacea Collating Conservation detection function models English Channel Environmental Sciences Generalized linear models Geographical distribution Hebrides Irish Sea North Sea Spatial data Species species distribution models Standardization Statistical models Threatened species
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	Distribution maps of cetaceans and seabirds at basin and monthly scales are needed for conservation and marine management. These are usually created from standardized and systematic aerial and vessel surveys, with recorded animal densities interpolated across study areas. However, distribution maps at basin and monthly scales have previously not been possible because individual surveys have restricted spatial and temporal coverage. This study develops an alternative approach consisting of: (a) collating diverse survey data to maximize spatial and temporal coverage, (b) using detection functions to estimate variation in the surface area covered (km2) among these surveys, standardizing measurements of effort and animal densities, and (c) developing species distribution models (SDM) that overcome issues with heterogeneous and uneven coverage. 2.68 million km of survey data in the North‐East Atlantic between 1980 and 2018 were collated and standardized. SDM using Generalized Linear Models and General Estimating Equations in a hurdle approach were developed. Distribution maps were then created for 12 cetacean and 12 seabird species at 10 km and monthly resolution. Qualitative and quantitative assessment indicated good model performance. Synthesis and applications. This study provides the largest ever collation and standardization of diverse survey data for cetaceans and seabirds, and the most comprehensive distribution maps of these taxa in the North‐East Atlantic. These distribution maps have numerous applications including the identification of important areas needing protection, and the quantification of overlap between vulnerable species and anthropogenic activities. This study demonstrates how the analysis of existing and diverse survey data can meet conservation and marine management needs. Distribution maps of cetaceans and seabirds help their conservation and marine management. However, producing distribution maps at basin and monthly scales is challenging—individual surveys have limited coverage, and the combination of different surveys is not straightforward. Our approaches overcome these challenges, using almost 3 million kilometres of at‐sea survey data to produce distribution maps for 24 species at 10 km and monthly resolution in the North East Atlantic.
ISSN:	0021-8901 1365-2664
DOI:	10.1111/1365-2664.13525