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January 9, 2022 by Publications

The Role of Environmental Drivers in Humpback whale distribution, movement and behaviour.

The Role of Environmental Drivers in Humpback whale distribution, movement and behaviour.
January 9, 2022 by Publications

Humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, are a highly migratory species exposed

to a wide range of environmental factors during their lifetime. The spatial and temporal

characteristics of such factors play a significant role in determining suitable habitats for

breeding, feeding and resting. The existing studies of the relationship between oceanic

conditions and humpback whale ecology provide the basis for understanding impacts

on this species. Here we have determined the most relevant environmental drivers

identified in peer-reviewed literature published over the last four decades, and assessed

the methods used to identify relationships. A total of 148 studies were extracted

through an online literature search. These studies used a combined estimated 105,000

humpback whale observations over 1,216 accumulated study years investigating the

relationship between humpback whales and environmental drivers in both Northern

and Southern Hemispheres. Studies focusing on humpback whales in feeding areas

found preferences for areas of upwelling, high chlorophyll-a concentration and frontal

areas with changes in temperature, depth and currents, where prey can be found in

high concentration. Preferred calving grounds were identified as shallow, warm and

with slow water movement to aid the survival of calves. The few studies of migration

routes have found preferences for shallow waters close to shorelines with moderate

temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration. Extracting information and understanding

the influence of key drivers of humpback whale behavioral modes are important for

conservation, particularly in regard to expected changes of environmental conditions

under climate change.

This publication can be found at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.720774/full

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About The Research

This research project establishes a fundamental understanding of how changing ocean conditions are influencing the recovery of humpback whale populations and develop adaptation scenarios for advancing whale conservation, policies and programs. It will also lay the path for future research on other baleen species.

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Research

This research project will establish a fundamental understanding of how changing ocean conditions are influencing the recovery of humpback whale populations and develop adaptation scenarios for advancing whale conservation policies and programs.

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