{999A9551-D701-4CF5-9373-131D3DD8D969} 20050512 19291400 FALSE 20060710 17161900 20060815 12091700 NoneAircraftSightingspygmy blue whales Relational database en Blue whales <i>Balaenoptera musculus</i> aggregate to feed in a regional upwelling system during November–May between the Great Australian Bight (GAB) and Bass Strait. We analyzed sightings from aerial surveys over 6 upwelling seasons (2001–02 to 2006–07) to assess within-season patterns of blue whale habitat selection, distribution, and relative abundance. Habitat variables were modelled using a general linear model (GLM) that ranked sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface chlorophyll (SSC) of equal importance, followed by depth, distance to shore, SSC gradient, distance to shelf break, and SST gradient. Further discrimination by hierarchical partitioning indicated that SST accounted for 84.4% of variation in blue whale presence explained by the model, and that probability of sightings increased with increasing SST. The large study area was resolved into 3 zones showing diversity of habitat from the shallow narrow shelf and associated surface upwelling of the central zone, to the relatively deep upper slope waters, broad shelf and variable upwelling of the western zone, and the intermediate features of the eastern zone. Density kernel estimation showed a trend in distribution from the west during November–December, spreading south-eastward along the shelf throughout the central and eastern zones during January–April, with the central zone most consistently utilized. Encounter rates in central and eastern zones peaked in February, coinciding with peak upwelling intensity and primary productivity. Blue whales avoided inshore upwelling centers, selecting SST ~1°C cooler than remotely sensed ambient SST. Whales selected significantly higher SSC in the central and eastern zones than the western zone, where relative abundance was extremely variable. Most animals departed from the feeding ground by late April.A primary objective of the present study was to use modelling (i.e., general linear model [GLM]) to assess the relative importance of a range of biophysical habitat variables in explaining whale distribution (see Redfern et al. 2006 for a review of cetacean habitat modelling). To do this we used blue whale sighting data from aerial surveys over 6 upwelling seasons, in combination with bathymetric, remote sensing, and temperature logger data. Another objective was to explain within-season patterns of distribution and relative abundance of foraging blue whales in this upwelling system using density kernel estimation and monthly variabililty in encounter rates. Furthermore, the present study presented an opportunity to assess whether the Bonney Upwelling surface plume, representing a shoaling of the thermocline rarely observed in blue whale feeding grounds elsewhere, provided insights into relationships between whales and upwelling in this region.<br><br> Reference: Redfern, J.V., M.C. Ferguson, E.A. Becker, K.D. Hyrenbach et al. 2006. Techniques for cetacean-habitat modelling. Marine Ecological Progress Series 310:271–295. vector digital data http://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/971 OBIS-SEAMAP Blue Whale Study Inc.20130709seamap971https://doi.org/10.82144/14f7458dVersion 1.5.0OBIS-SEAMAPLatest ground condition2002011920070516 CompleteNone planned 134.05811143.303-35.05254-39.383134.05811143.303-39.383-35.05254Ocean Open public unless otherwise noted. 1. Not to use data contained in OBIS-SEAMAP in any publication, product, or commercial application without prior written consent of the original data provider. 2. To cite both the data provider and OBIS-SEAMAP appropriately after approval of use is obtained. 3. Not to hold OBIS-SEAMAP liable for errors in the data. While we have made every effort to ensure the quality of the database, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of these datasets. Shapefile Peter GillBlue Whale Study Inc. mailing and physical address

C/- Post Office

NarrawongVIC3285Australia [61+3](03) 5529 5227petegill@bigpond.com Taxon coveredMarine mammalsIntegrated Taxonomic Information SystemUnknownNot applicableDownloaded April, 2004http://www.itis.usda.gov/Refer to the contact information of the datasetRefer to the contact information of the datasetmailing and physical address

Refer to the contact information of the dataset

Refer to the contact information of the datasetRefer to the contact information of the datasetRefer to the contact information of the datasetRefer to the contact information of the datasetNot providedIdentified by observers or researchers conducting the surveyKingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataSubphylumVertebrataClassMammaliaSubclassTheriaInfraclassEutheriaOrderCetaceaSuborderMysticetiFamilyBalaenopteridaeGenusBalaenopteraSpeciesBalaenoptera musculusSubspeciesBalaenoptera musculus brevicaudaBlue Whale Study Inc.Gill, P.C., M.G. Morrice, B. Page, R. Pirzl, A.H. Levings and M. Coyne2011vector digital dataMarine Ecology Progress Series421: 243-263.http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v421/p243-263/ en FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata FGDC-STD-001-1998 local time Ei Fujioka Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University mailing and physical addressDurhamNC27708

A328, LSRC

USA 919-613-8021 seamap-contact@duke.edu Connie KotDuke University http://www.nbii.gov/Biological Data Profilehttp://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.htmlESRI Metadata Profile 20150603 20150603 ISO 19115 Geographic Information - MetadataDIS_ESRI1.0dataset OBIS-SEAMAP Dataset ID 971 0.021 0.021 OBIS-SEAMAP Free Go to the OBIS-SEAMAP web site and click on [Datasets] tab appearing on upper left. Nicholas School of Environment, Duke Univ. OBIS-SEAMAP mailing and physical address DurhamNCUSA

A328, LSRC

27708 919-613-8021 seamap-contact@duke.edu Not to hold OBIS-SEAMAP liable for errors in the data. While we have made every effort to ensure the quality of the database, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of these datasets. Also please refer to Use Constraints. 002 Local Area Network 0.021 Shapefile Vector GCS_WGS_1984Decimal degrees1e-051e-05D_WGS_1984WGS_19846378137.000000298.257224GCS_WGS_1984 This section explains attributes included in the original dataset. OBIS-SEAMAP restricts the attributes available to the public to date/time, lat/lon and species names/counts only. Should you need other attributes described here, you are encouraged to contact the data provider.Blue Whale Study Inc.Biogeographic dataBiogeographic dataNot applicableoidUnique ID (created by OBIS-SEAMAP)Data providerUnique ID (created by OBIS-SEAMAP)dattimeutcDate/time UTCData providerDate/time UTCobs_dateDate of observationData providerDate of observationobs_timeTime of observationData providerTime of observationlongitudeLongitude of observationData providerLongitude of observationlatitudeLatitude of observationData providerLatitude of observationobs_countNumber of animalsData providerNumber of animalssp_obsSpecies observedData providerSpecies observedsp_tsnSpecies ITIS TSNData providerSpecies ITIS TSNgeomdefinition not providedData providerdefinition not providedtimezonedefinition not providedData providerdefinition not provided20060815 All observation records are included.Permissible values for date and time and coordinates were validated by the data provider and the OBIS-SEAMAP data manager. Species identification by the data provider was matched with Integrated Taxonomic Information System.Data were put through the OBIS-SEAMAP data registration steps.20130709