Download or read book Beluga Whale Habitat Selection and Distribution in the Mackenzie Estuary and the Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area written by Aurelie Noel and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Eastern Beaufort Sea (EBS) beluga population migrates to the Mackenzie Estuary and to the Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area every summer and the reasons behind this selection are not fully understood. Once in the Estuary, beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) are harvested by Inuvialuit communities of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region for whom they represent an essential country food, contributing to their well-being. In the last decade, community members voiced their concerns and identified research priorities pertaining to belugas resources, baselines and habitats. To enhance our understanding of EBS beluga whale habitat and further anticipate effects of a changing climate, it was crucial to understand why belugas select these habitats. We created a habitat model based on aerial surveys observations from the late summer 2019 paired with remote sensing imagery to establish a baseline of environmental and spatial conditions selected by belugas. Then we assessed the baseline against historical data. We finally evaluated the habitat model with concurrent tagged observations to integrate the inferences made at a larger spatio-temporal scale. High turbidity and warm water temperatures were the two most important factors explaining beluga presence and were associated with the inshore waters of the Mackenzie River channels and along unprotected coastlines. Comparisons with past observations suggested that the observed beluga distribution had shifted from the baseline and was probably the results of the influence of changing environmental conditions on beluga response, either on a temporary (i.e., acclimatisation) or permanent basis (i.e., adaptation). The evaluation of the habitat model showed mixed results. The inferences of selection, created in combining quality of environmental conditions and belugas mechanisms of selection, explained the intertwined patterns of beluga habitat distribution. Those findings enhanced our understanding of EBS beluga ecology and highlighted the complexity in defining and predicting beluga habitat distribution. This complexity, by preventing an accurate assessment of the changing beluga habitat distribution, represents new challenges for harvesters that who may have to switch the timing and location of their harvest in response.

Download or read book Distribution of Beluga in Western Hudson Bay with Respect to Estuary Habitat Characteristics and Vessel Traffic written by Emma Ausen and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Western Hudson Bay is undergoing habitat changes associated with increased anthropogenic activities including vessel traffic from shipping and whale watching ecotourism. These river estuaries are habitat for the Western Hudson Bay (WHB) beluga whale, the largest know beluga population. This thesis addresses two important questions, which environmental conditions contribute to critical beluga habitat in the western Hudson Bay, and what is the response of beluga to tourism vessel traffic in the Churchill River estuary. Beluga were identified in nadir imagery from a 2018 summer aerial survey of the Nelson, Churchill and Seal River estuaries, and oblique images taken of the Churchill River estuary in August 2020. The location of beluga within each survey area was modeled with respect to remotely sensed environmental data. Beluga habitat use was found to be associated with rivers as well as the concentration of total suspended sediments, and colored dissolved organic matter. Using environmental characteristics, a previously unidentified important habitat unit for beluga was discovered in the Knife River estuary. Distance measurements between belugas and tourist vessels were obtained from oblique images using trigonometric equations and georeferencing points taken in the Churchill River estuary. Through distance analysis, it was found that beluga showed attraction to kayaks, avoidance to paddleboards, and independence from motorboats and Zodiacs. Results from this thesis should inform management decisions for the WHB beluga population, including the establishment of a National Marine Protected Area which is currently under consideration.

Download or read book Passive Acoustic Monitoring to Identify Drivers of Beluga Whale Habitat Use in the Mackenzie Estuary written by Kevin Scharffenberg and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Understanding drivers of habitat use of mobile species is critical for understanding the impacts of climate change and formulating management plans. Eastern Beaufort Sea (EBS) beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), an important subsistence food source for Inuvialuit, are known to form large aggregations in the Mackenzie Estuary each summer; however, environmental drivers of this habitat use are not understood. Passive acoustic monitoring was used to record beluga presence during this aggregation at key locations in the Mackenzie Estuary, while simultaneously recording environmental and oceanographic data. Belugas moved further into the estuary during cold oceanic influxes and did not use locations which typically see high use during high-speed winds. In an extreme case, a large storm prevented belugas from using the area for five days and negatively affected the subsistence beluga hunt. This information can inform decisions by northern communities and policy makers, aiding in management of the EBS beluga population.

Download or read book Distribution Abundance and Behaviour of White Whales in the Mackenzie Estuary written by P. Norton and published by . This book was released on 1986 with total page 88 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Presents results of aerial reconnaissance surveys of the white whale population of the Mackenzie River estuary from 1976 to 1985. Information is included on survey and data analysis methods, and on whale distribution and abundance (focusing on the 1985 survey), whale behaviour, and neonate sightings. Concludes with discussion on the timing and pattern of white whale movement and distribution, possible biases in survey technique, yearly trends in whale abundance, whale uses of the estuary, and effects of industrial activities on white whales.

Download or read book Exploration of Grouping Characteristics and Spatial Distribution of Beluga Whales Delphinapterus Leucas in the Eastern Beaufort Sea written by Alexandra Mayette and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) are considered social whales, but like any other cetaceans, the study of social behaviour is challenging to conduct. Due to the wide distribution of the Eastern Beaufort Sea beluga whale population across its summering grounds, little is known about the large-scale grouping behaviour and spatial distribution of groups. The aim of this research is to explore the grouping characteristics and organization of beluga groups, as well as the habitat preference of different social groups in summer. First, we used aerial photographs captured in July 2019 to describe group size, age composition, inter-individual distance, and swimming direction of beluga groups. We compared characteristics between two key summer habitats: the extended offshore of the Beaufort Sea shelf and the inshore of the Mackenzie Estuary. Results showed that group size and inter-individual distance were similar in both habitats. The average distance in a group varied with age composition and the swimming direction varied between the offshore and inshore. Second, we used GPS locations of beluga sightings recorded by visual observers during aerial surveys conducted in July and August 2019. We investigated the distribution of three beluga social group types (individual belugas, groups of adults, and groups with calf) using hierarchical generalized additive models. The sea surface temperature, bathymetry, and slope described best the summer distribution. Areas of high preference were often associated with prey distribution, suggesting foraging as the main driver of habitat preference. We also hypothesized that body size energy requirements contributed to the variation between the group types. This study revealed for the first-time observations of grouping behaviour in the summer habitat of the Eastern Beaufort Sea beluga whales. Although the results do not reflect the extent and complexity of beluga social behaviour, this study now provides an information baseline for this beluga population. We also encourage multidisciplinary research as an opportunity to further collect data and explore other elements of beluga whale sociality.

Download or read book Beluga Whales written by Anthony R. Martin and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 76 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Dr Anthony Martin is a biologist and in this book he explores what we know about the beluga or white whale, and relates to the reader what research is currently being carried out on this species.

Download or read book Beluga Whale Distribution Migration and Behavior in a Changing Pacific Arctic written by Donna D. W. Hauser and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 206 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Sea ice is disappearing at unprecedented rates in the Pacific Arctic with potential impacts to ice-associated marine predators that migrate to this seasonally accessible and productive ecosystem. In this dissertation I used satellite telemetry data spanning 1993-2012 collected from two migratory populations of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in the Pacific Arctic (i.e., Eastern Chukchi Sea and Eastern Beaufort Sea populations) to investigate how loss of sea ice and changes in other environmental factors affect distribution, movement, and behavior. I quantified fidelity to summer areas, sexual segregation, and migration timing as well as variations in diving behavior among regions. These analyses illustrate that population-scale patterns of philopatry, migration, and foraging are mediated by the combined effects of seasonal sea ice and oceanographic fluctuations, prey distribution, and social interactions. I also addressed the question of whether belugas would adjust their distribution, migration, and behavior to shifting sea ice conditions and to what extent matrilineally-learned behavior might supersede environmental forcing through the development of resource selection functions. Results indicate that sea ice is a contributing factor but not sole determinant of beluga habitat preferences. One population (Eastern Chukchi Sea) exhibits delayed fall migration in response to later sea ice freeze-up. Changing environmental conditions also seem to favor deeper, longer dives for this population. There were few overall differences in preferred habitat selection during 1990-2014, and summer distribution appears to be governed by philopatry rather than ice conditions. These results correspond to a conclusion that Eastern Chukchi Sea belugas are responding to a changing Pacific Arctic environment through behavioral plasticity in migration timing and foraging behavior. In contrast, there were few examples where migration timing or sea ice associations of Eastern Beaufort Sea belugas changed between the 1990s and 2000s. Taken as a whole, these results suggest population-specific responses by belugas in the face of fluctuating sea ice conditions. Across the circumpolar Arctic, some beluga populations may be more likely than others to adapt and persist in a changing climate.

Download or read book Distribution and Movements of Beluga Whales from the Eastern Chukchi Sea Stock During Summer and Early Autumn written by Robert Suydam and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2015-06-26 with total page 40 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report includes data from two efforts to satellite tag beluga whales. The first was conducted by the Alaska Beluga Whale Committee (ABWC) through NOAA grant NA67FX0197, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the North Slope Borough (NSB), and the Village of Point Lay. This was the first time belugas in Alaska were instrumented with satellite tags. Ten belugas were tagged in 1998-1999. The second took place in 2000-2002. It was initiated by the ABWC and further supported by Minerals Management Service (MMS) through the Coastal Marine Institute. Other cooperators included NMFS, ADF&G, the NSB, the Village of Point Lay, and Alaska Marine Ecosystems Research.

Download or read book Distribution of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales Delphinapterus Leucas in Winter written by Donald J. Hansen and published by . This book was released on 1999 with total page 92 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Beluga Whale Delphinapterus Leucas Use of the Nelson River Estuary Hudson Bay written by Alexander J. Smith and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) (Pallas 1776) living in areas of seasonal sea ice use estuaries periodically during summer. Beluga estuary-use hypotheses include feeding, calving, moulting, killer whale (Orcinus orca) predation, human predation, thermal advantage, and phylogenetic inertia. The hypotheses may not be mutually exclusive and may vary with populations or regions. This study describes aspects of beluga whale summer-ecology by studying the association between inter-annual water levels and beluga habitat selection in the Nelson River estuary. Flow rates from upstream Limestone Dam doubled from the dry years of 2002-2004 to the wet year of 2005. I used radio-tracking data (N=15, 2002-2005) and aerial surveys (2003, 2005) to test the hypothesis (H1) that belugas were farther out in the estuary during the wet year. Model variables included year, day, time, tide and age-sex. Observed location-habitat distances for the radio-tracking and aerial survey data were compared to the random equivalents using a Kolmogorov-Smimov (KS) test. A cumulative sign test determined the timing of a beluga shift in movement behaviour on August 10th. Pre-August 10th radio-tracking locations provided the spatial-temporal boundary of the Nelson River estuary. General Linear Models (GLM) for both the telemetry and aerial survey data show an association between beluga distance to the river-mouth and year. Study results provide evidence to weigh the main estuary-use hypotheses and contriubte to knowledge of beluga ecology and management.

Download or read book Environmental and Biological Factors Affecting Beluga Whale Delphinapterus Leucas Movement and Distribution in Hudson Bay written by Kristin Westdal and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) are an Arctic cetacean with circumpolar distribution. They are known to have distinct, lengthy and consistent migration paths to and from summer and wintering grounds. The Western Hudson Bay beluga population, the largest summering aggregation in the world, inhabits three main estuaries in the summer season. Little protection is afforded to them here, and little is known of the specific details of their summer distribution and factors affecting that distribution. Using a combination of satellite telemetry, aerial photos, satellite data, and visual observations and historical reports, investigations into factors affecting beluga distribution in Western Hudson Bay were conducted. An examination into beluga age class distribution near the Churchill and Seal River estuaries, using aerial survey imagery, suggested that belugas may not be segregating by age in summer, however the Seal River estuary may be more important from a calf-rearing perspective. Belugas use a greater home range than we would expect, based on historical range data, in the face of predation by their main predator, the killer whale (Orcinus orca). Killer whales are sighted more frequently in Hudson Bay than historically, and results presented here show that ice entrapments, occurring with higher frequency in the future, may impact distribution of beluga as killer whales expand their range and occurrence in Hudson Bay. Finally, an assessment of beluga behaviour in the presence of whale-watching vessels showed that beluga response to vessels varied but the probability of travelling behaviour was significantly greater with distance from vessels; belugas also appear to be spending more time interacting with vessels now, as compared to 15 years ago when there were fewer whale-watching vessels. The results found through this research are useful in informing climate change implications, marine-protected area boundaries, policy and marine spatial planning, and subsistence harvest management.

Download or read book For the Future of the Beluga written by Jacques Prescott and published by Sillery, Québec : Presses de l'Université du Québec. This book was released on 1990 with total page 382 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Le 29 septembre 1988, plus de 300 personnes envahissaient l'hôtel Tadoussac. Parmi ces participants se trouvaient quelque 30 chercheurs invités à faire le point sur l'état de la population des bélugas du Saint-Laurent, sa distribution dans l'estuaire, l'état de son habitat naturel et les impacts de la pollution de l'eau sur la santé de ces mammifères marins."--Page xvii.

Download or read book Distribution Abundance and Behaviour of White Whales in the MacKenzie Estuary written by Humphrey B. and published by . This book was released on 1986 with total page 73 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Proceedings of a Workshop on Beaufort Sea Beluga written by Wayne S. Duval and published by . This book was released on 1993 with total page 40 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Workshop held to examine the status of the stock of beluga whales that summer in the Beaufort Sea; to identify the best methods for the continued monitoring of the stock in response to human activities and environmental changes; and to define research priorities for the future. This document describes the structure of the workshop and its goals; gives background information on models; summarizes the subgroup discussions on stock status and population estimates and on continuing assessment; and discusses funding priorities, including the need for satellite tagging and aerial surveys.

Download or read book Seasonal Movement and Habitat Use of Beluga Whales in the Canadian Beaufort Sea written by Claire Hornby (Alexandra) and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Distribution and Movements of Beluga Whales from the Eastern Chukchi Sea Stock During Summer and Early Autumn written by Robert Scott Suydam and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 78 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Beluga written by Pierre Béland and published by Lyons Press. This book was released on 1996 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A very powerful chronicle of the St. Lawrence River Beluga whales which were hunted to near extinction until given legal protection in 1979, and are now quite literally dying from pollution. Beland (senior research scientist, St. Lawrence National institute of Ecotoxicology) describes the Beluga history, how they live now, the pollution threats to them, and ways in which this kind of tragedy can be prevented in the future, although it looks like it's too late for the Beluga; thus the volume also serves as their elegy. Includes color photographs. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR