Pascoe_2016.pdf (1.38 MB)
Assessing the utility of two- and three-dimensional behavioural metrics in habitat usage models
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 02:04 authored by Penelope PascoePenelope Pascoe, Mary-Anne LeaMary-Anne Lea, Mattlin, RH, Clive McMahonClive McMahon, Harcourt, R, Thompson, D, Torres, L, Vinette-Herrin, K, Mark HindellMark HindellFor deep-diving, wide-ranging marine predators, foraging behaviour is often inferred from movement data. Various metrics are used to do this, and recently, metrics have been developed that consider both horizontal movement and vertical dive behaviour to better describe the use of the 3-dimensional environment these animals inhabit. However, the efficacy of these different metrics in predicting behavioural state is poorly understood. We used first passage time (2-dimensional) and first bottom time (3-dimensional) analyses on tracks derived from satellite-relayed data loggers to quantify and determine seal behavioural state while foraging at sea. Movement and dive data were collected from 38 southern elephant seals Mirounga leonina from Macquarie and Campbell Islands (in the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean). Using a suite of environmental variables, linear mixed-effect models were derived for the 2 broad habitats visited by the seals: shelf and open ocean. The best-fitting models for each foraging metric in each habitat were then compared using a cross validation analysis to identify which foraging metric produced the best predictions of habitat use. In shelf habitats, the 3-dimensional foraging metric provided better predictions than the 2-dimensional metric, while the 2-dimensional foraging metric resulted in the best predictive capacity in the open ocean habitats. These findings highlight the importance of considering the appropriate foraging metrics when modelling foraging behaviour.
History
Publication title
Marine Ecology Progress SeriesVolume
562Pagination
181-192ISSN
0171-8630Department/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesPublisher
Inter-ResearchPlace of publication
Nordbunte 23, Oldendorf Luhe, Germany, D-21385Rights statement
Copyright 2016 Inter-ResearchRepository Status
- Restricted