Accession Number:

ADA505100

Title:

Cumulative and Synergistic Effects of Physical, Biological, and Acoustic Signals on Marine Mammal Habitat Use (PSU)

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV STATE COLLEGE APPLIED RESEARCH LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Miksis-Olds, Jennifer L.
• Nystuen, Jeffrey A.

Report Date:

2008-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

8.0

Abstract:

The main objective of this work is to relate synoptic measurements of prey distribution, physical oceanographic process, and sound levels to cetacean habitat use in the Bering Sea. Integrated data such as these will be vital in understanding the relationship between cetaceans and their environment both in the presence and absence of specific noise sources. Long-term measurements will play an important role in determining the point at which cumulative effects of the environment and human activities impact animal populations, and in identifying the kinds of exposure that pose the greatest risk. The Bering Sea is an ecosystem that is presently experiencing rapid climate change, has relatively healthy populations of cetaceans and supports the largest fishery in the US EEZ.

Descriptors:

• *AQUATIC ANIMALS
• *ECOSYSTEMS
• ACOUSTIC SIGNALS
• BERING SEA
• CLIMATE
• HABITATS
• MAMMALS
• MEASUREMENT
• OCEANOGRAPHY
• SOUND
• SYNERGISM

Subject Categories:

• Biology
• Ecology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE