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Confusion reigns? A review of marine megafauna interactions with tidal-stream environments
Citation
Benjamins, S and Dale, AC and Hastie, G and Waggitt, JJ and Lea, MA and Scott, B and Wilson, B, Confusion reigns? A review of marine megafauna interactions with tidal-stream environments, Oceanography and Marine Biology, 53 pp. 1-54. ISSN 0078-3218 (2015) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
© R. N. Hughes. D. J. Hughes, I. P. Smith, and A. C. Dale
DOI: doi:10.1201/b18733-2
Abstract
Energetic tidal-stream
environments are characterized by frequent, variable, yet broadly predictable
currents containing ephemeral flow structures that change across multiple spatio-temporal
scales.
Marine mammals and seabirds (marine megafauna) often frequent such sites, but increasingly these
locations are targeted for renewable energy extraction; little is known, however, about how marine
megafauna use these habitats and any potential impacts. This review aims to summarize existing
knowledge concerning usage by marine megafauna and considers their wider ecological significance.
The review describes the physical processes occurring within tidal-stream
environments that
generate the oceanographic structures of potential ecological relevance, such as jets, boils, eddies,
and fronts. Important physical features of these environments include lateral transport, turbulence-driven
3-dimensional flow structure at various spatial scales, and upwelling. Foraging opportunities
appear to be the main attractor to marine megafauna, likely driven by enhanced prey abundance,
vulnerability, or diversity. Many megafauna associate with particular tidal phases, current strengths,
and flow structures, most likely in response to tidally forced prey distribution and behaviours.
Occupancy patterns, distributions, and foraging behaviours are discussed. Local site fidelity by
‘tidal-stream
experts’ suggest non-uniform
conservation risks within larger metapopulations. The
review discusses data-gathering
techniques and associated challenges, the significance of scaling,
and information gaps.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Keywords: | ephemeral flow structures, tidal, eddies, ephemeral, coastal, dynamic |
Research Division: | Environmental Sciences |
Research Group: | Environmental management |
Research Field: | Wildlife and habitat management |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Marine systems and management |
Objective Field: | Marine biodiversity |
UTAS Author: | Lea, MA (Professor Mary-Anne Lea) |
ID Code: | 106449 |
Year Published: | 2015 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 63 |
Deposited By: | IMAS Research and Education Centre |
Deposited On: | 2016-02-10 |
Last Modified: | 2017-12-04 |
Downloads: | 2 View Download Statistics |
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