PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
In the design of protected areas for cetaceans, spatial maps rarely take account of the life-history and behaviour of protected species relevant to their spatial ambit, which may be important for their management. In this study, we examined the distribution and feeding behaviours of adult versus juvenile minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) from long-term studies in the Moray Firth in northeast Scotland, where a Marine Protected Area (MPA) has recently been designated. Data were collected during dedicated boat surveys between 2001 and 2022 inclusive, from which 784 encounters with 964 whales of confirmed age-class (471 juveniles and 493 adults) were recorded from 56,263 km of survey effort, resulting in 238 focal follows. Adults and juveniles were occasionally seen together, but their distributions were not statistically correlated, and GIS revealed spatial separation / habitat partitioning by age-class-with juveniles preferring shallower, inshore waters with sandy-gravel sediments, and adults preferring deeper, offshore waters with greater bathymetric slope. GAMs suggested that the partitioning between age-classes was predominantly based on the differing proximity of animals to the shore, with juveniles showing a preference for the gentlest seabed slopes, and both adults and juveniles showing a similar preference for sandy gravel sediment types. However, the GAMs only used sightings data with available survey effort (2008 to 2022) and excluded depth due to collinearity issues. Whilst adult minkes employed a range of \"active\" prey-entrapment specialisations, showing inter-individual variation and seasonal plasticity in their targeted prey, juveniles almost exclusively used \"passive\" (low energy) feeding methods targeting low-density patches of inshore prey. These findings corroborate the need to incorporate demographic and behavioural data into spatial models when identifying priority areas for protected cetacean species. Not all areas within an MPA have equal value for a population and a better knowledge of the spatial preferences of these whales within the designated Scottish MPAs, appointed for their protection, is considered vital for their conservation.
摘要：
在鲸类保护区的设计中，空间地图很少考虑受保护物种与其空间范围相关的生活史和行为，这对他们的管理可能很重要。在这项研究中,我们通过在苏格兰东北部的MorayFirth进行的长期研究，研究了成年小须鲸与幼年小须鲸（Balaenopteraacutostrata）的分布和摄食行为，最近指定了海洋保护区（MPA）。数据是在2001年至2022年期间的专门船舶调查期间收集的，包括在内，在56,263公里的调查工作中，记录了784只与964只确认年龄段的鲸鱼（471只幼鲸和493只成年鲸）的相遇，产生238个焦点。偶尔会看到成年人和青少年在一起，但是它们的分布没有统计学上的相关性，和GIS揭示了按年龄分类的空间分离/栖息地划分-青少年更喜欢较浅的，有沙砾沉积物的近岸水域，成年人更喜欢更深，具有较大测深坡度的近海水域。GAMs认为，年龄组之间的划分主要基于动物与海岸的不同接近度，幼鱼偏爱最温和的海底斜坡，成年人和青少年都对砂砾沉积物类型表现出相似的偏好。然而,GAM仅使用具有可用调查工作（2008年至2022年）的目击数据，并且由于共线性问题而排除了深度。虽然成年的小貂采用了一系列“活跃”的捕食专长，在他们的目标猎物中显示出个体间的变化和季节可塑性，青少年几乎只使用“被动”（低能量）喂养方法，针对近岸猎物的低密度斑块。这些发现证实了在确定受保护的鲸类物种的优先区域时，需要将人口和行为数据纳入空间模型。并非MPA中的所有区域都对人口具有同等价值，并且对指定的苏格兰MPA中这些鲸鱼的空间偏好有更好的了解，为了保护他们,被认为对他们的保护至关重要。
