TY - JOUR

T1 - Distribution maps of cetacean and seabird populations in the North-East Atlantic

AU - Waggitt, James

AU - Evans, Peter

AU - Hiddink, Jan Geert

AU - Andrade, Joana

AU - Banks, Alex

AU - Boisseau, Oliver

AU - Bolton, Mark

AU - Bradbury, Gareth

AU - Brereton, Tom

AU - Camphuysen, Kees

AU - Durinck, Jan

AU - Felce, Tom

AU - Fijn, Ruben

AU - Garcia-Baron, Isabel

AU - Garthe, Stefan

AU - Geelhoed, Steve

AU - Gilles, Anita

AU - Goodall, Martin

AU - Haelters, Jan

AU - Hamilton, Sally

AU - Hartny-Mills, Lauren

AU - Hodgins, Nicola

AU - James, Kathy

AU - Jessopp, Mark

AU - Kavanagh, Ailbhe

AU - Leopold, Mardik

AU - Lohrengel, Katrin

AU - Louzao, Maite

AU - Markones, Nele

AU - Martinez-Cediera, Jose

AU - O’Cadhla, Oliver

AU - Perry, Sarah

AU - Pierce, Graham

AU - Ridoux, Vincent

AU - Robinson, Kevin

AU - Santos, Begona

AU - Saavedra, Camilo

AU - Skov, Henrik

AU - Steinen, Eric

AU - Sveegaard, Signe

AU - Thompson, Paul

AU - Vanermen, Nicolas

AU - Wall, Dave

AU - Webb, Andy

AU - Wilson, Jared

AU - Wanless, Sarah

PY - 2020/2

Y1 - 2020/2

N2 - 1. Distribution maps of cetaceans and seabirds at basin and monthly scales are needed for conservation and marine management. These are usually created from standardised and systematic aerial and vessel surveys, with recorded animal densities interpolated across study areas. However, distribution maps at basin and monthly scales have previously not been possible because individual surveys have restricted spatial and temporal coverage. 2. This study develops an alternative approach consisting of: (1) collating diverse survey data to maximise spatial and temporal coverage, (2) using detection functions to estimate variation in the surface area covered (km2) among these surveys, standardising measurements of effort and animal densities, and (3) developing species distribution models (SDM) that overcome issues with heterogeneous and uneven coverage. 3. 2.68 million km of survey data in the North-East Atlantic between 1980 and 2018 were collated and standardised. SDM using Generalized Linear Models and General Estimating Equations in a hurdle approach were developed. Distribution maps were then created for 12 cetacean and 12 seabird species at 10 km and monthly resolution. Qualitative and quantitative assessment indicated good model performance. 4. Synthesis and applications. This study provides the largest ever collation and standardisation of diverse survey data for cetaceans and seabirds, and the most comprehensive distribution maps of these taxa in the North-East Atlantic. These distribution maps have numerous applications including the identification of important areas needing protection, and the quantification of overlap between vulnerable species and anthropogenic activities. This study demonstrates how the analysis of existing and diverse survey data can meet conservation and marine management needs.

AB - 1. Distribution maps of cetaceans and seabirds at basin and monthly scales are needed for conservation and marine management. These are usually created from standardised and systematic aerial and vessel surveys, with recorded animal densities interpolated across study areas. However, distribution maps at basin and monthly scales have previously not been possible because individual surveys have restricted spatial and temporal coverage. 2. This study develops an alternative approach consisting of: (1) collating diverse survey data to maximise spatial and temporal coverage, (2) using detection functions to estimate variation in the surface area covered (km2) among these surveys, standardising measurements of effort and animal densities, and (3) developing species distribution models (SDM) that overcome issues with heterogeneous and uneven coverage. 3. 2.68 million km of survey data in the North-East Atlantic between 1980 and 2018 were collated and standardised. SDM using Generalized Linear Models and General Estimating Equations in a hurdle approach were developed. Distribution maps were then created for 12 cetacean and 12 seabird species at 10 km and monthly resolution. Qualitative and quantitative assessment indicated good model performance. 4. Synthesis and applications. This study provides the largest ever collation and standardisation of diverse survey data for cetaceans and seabirds, and the most comprehensive distribution maps of these taxa in the North-East Atlantic. These distribution maps have numerous applications including the identification of important areas needing protection, and the quantification of overlap between vulnerable species and anthropogenic activities. This study demonstrates how the analysis of existing and diverse survey data can meet conservation and marine management needs.

KW - Bay of Biscay

KW - Celtic Sea

KW - English Channel

KW - Hebrides

KW - Irish Sea

KW - North Sea

KW - detection function models

KW - species distribution models

UR - https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/downloadSupplement?doi=10.1111%2F1365-2664.13525&file=jpe13525-sup-0004-Supinfo.docx

U2 - 10.1111/1365-2664.13525

DO - 10.1111/1365-2664.13525

M3 - Article

VL - 57

SP - 253

EP - 269

JO - Journal of Applied Ecology

JF - Journal of Applied Ecology

SN - 1365-2664

IS - 2

ER -