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Estimating trans-seasonal variability in water column biomass for a highly migratory, deep diving predator
Citation
O'Toole, MD and Lea, MA and Guinet, C and Hindell, MA, Estimating trans-seasonal variability in water column biomass for a highly migratory, deep diving predator, PLoS ONE, 9, (11) Article e113171. ISSN 1932-6203 (2014) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
DOI: doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0113171
Abstract
The deployment of animal-borne electronic tags is revolutionizing our understanding of how pelagic species respond to their environment by providing in situ oceanographic information such as temperature, salinity, and light measurements. These tags, deployed on pelagic animals, provide data that can be used to study the ecological context of their foraging behaviour and surrounding environment. Satellite-derived measures of ocean colour reveal temporal and spatial variability of surface chlorophyll-a (a useful proxy for phytoplankton distribution). However, this information can be patchy in space and time resulting in poor correspondence with marine animal behaviour. Alternatively, light data collected by animal-borne tag sensors can be used to estimate chlorophyll-a distribution. Here, we use light level and depth data to generate a phytoplankton index that matches daily seal movements. Time-depth-light recorders (TDLRs) were deployed on 89 southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) over a period of 6 years (1999–2005). TDLR data were used to calculate integrated light attenuation of the top 250 m of the water column (LA250), which provided an index of phytoplankton density at the daily scale that was concurrent with the movement and behaviour of seals throughout their entire foraging trip. These index values were consistent with typical seasonal chl-a patterns as measured from 8-daySea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFs) images. The availability of data recorded by the TDLRs was far greater than concurrent remotely sensed chl-a at higher latitudes and during winter months. Improving the spatial and temporal availability of phytoplankton information concurrent with animal behaviour has ecological implications for understanding the movement of deep diving predators in relation to lower trophic levels in the Southern Ocean. Light attenuation profiles recorded by animal-borne electronic tags can be used more broadly and routinely to estimate lower trophic distribution at sea in relation to deep diving predator foraging behaviour.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Southern Ocean, elephant seal, diving |
| 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: | Measurement and assessment of marine water quality and condition |
| UTAS Author: | O'Toole, MD (Dr Malcolm O'Toole) |
| UTAS Author: | Lea, MA (Professor Mary-Anne Lea) |
| UTAS Author: | Hindell, MA (Professor Mark Hindell) |
| ID Code: | 98580 |
| Year Published: | 2014 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 5 |
| Deposited By: | IMAS Research and Education Centre |
| Deposited On: | 2015-02-19 |
| Last Modified: | 2017-11-01 |
| Downloads: | 394 View Download Statistics |
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