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Foraging habitats of top predators, and Areas of Ecological Significance, on the Kerguelen Plateau
Citation
Hindell, MA and Lea, MA and Bost, CA and Charrassin, JB and Gales, N and Goldsworthy, S and Page, B and Robertson, G and Wienecke, B and O'Toole, M and Guinet, C, Foraging habitats of top predators, and Areas of Ecological Significance, on the Kerguelen Plateau, The Kerguelen Plateau: marine ecosystem and fisheries, Societe Francaise d'Ichtyologie, Guy Duhamel and Dirk Welsford (ed), Abbeville, France, pp. 203-215. ISBN 2951462867 (2011) [Research Book Chapter]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2011 Société Française d'Ichtyologie
Official URL: http://cths.fr/an/societe.php?id=1431
Abstract
AbstrAct. - Avian and mammalian predators play a key role in the Kerguelen Plateau ecosystem, both with respect to
structuring the marine community and its response to anthropogenic influences, such as climate change and commercial
fisheries. A powerful way to determine regions of particular ecological importance is to identify Areas of Ecological
Significance (AES): regions that are utilized by multiple predator species. Such concentrations of foraging activity are
indicative of enhanced primary and/or secondary productivity. These are regions that require specialised management
efforts, and which are of considerable importance in the development of ecological models and climate monitoring systems.
This study integrates tracking and diving data from a suite of predator species collected as part of both the French and
Australian Antarctic programs at Kerguelen Islands and Heard Island respectively. Tracking and/or dive data for Macaroni
and King penguins, southern Elephant seals, Antarctic fur seals and Black-browed albatross were analysed. The estimated
path for each animal was derived using state-space models, which also allocated each location to either "transit" or "search"
behavioural modes. For diving species, dive depth data were temporally allocated along the path, providing information on
three-dimensional habitat use. Areas of Ecological Significance for each species and for the combined suite of predators
were identified using Kernel Density analysis. The role of bathymetry, ocean circulation and other environmental factors
underlying the AES were established using deterministic models, which can be used to predict predator foraging habitats
across the entire plateau.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Research Book Chapter |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Marine predators, telemetry, ecological significance |
| Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
| Research Group: | Ecology |
| Research Field: | Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) |
| Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
| Objective Group: | Coastal and estuarine systems and management |
| Objective Field: | Assessment and management of coastal and estuarine ecosystems |
| UTAS Author: | Hindell, MA (Professor Mark Hindell) |
| UTAS Author: | Lea, MA (Professor Mary-Anne Lea) |
| ID Code: | 76856 |
| Year Published: | 2011 |
| Deposited By: | IMAS Research and Education Centre |
| Deposited On: | 2012-03-14 |
| Last Modified: | 2014-08-20 |
| Downloads: | 4 View Download Statistics |
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