Environmental variables and machine learning models to predict cetacean abundance in the Central-eastern Mediterranean Sea

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Feb. 14, 2023

Although the Mediterranean Sea is a crucial hotspot in marine biodiversity, it has been threatened by numerous anthropogenic pressures. As flagship species, Cetaceans are exposed to those impacts and global changes. Assessing their conservation status becomes strategic set effective management plans. The aim of this paper understand habitat requirements cetaceans, exploiting advantages machine-learning framework. To end, 28 physical biogeochemical variables were identified as environmental predictors related abundance three odontocete species Northern Ionian (Central-eastern Sea). In fact, models built using sighting data collected for striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba, common bottlenose Tursiops truncatus, Risso's Grampus griseus between July 2009 October 2021. Random Forest was suitable machine learning algorithm cetacean estimation. Nitrate, phytoplankton carbon biomass, temperature, salinity most influential predictors, followed latitude, 3D-chlorophyll density. proposed here validated acquired during 2022 study area, confirming good performance strategy. This provides valuable information support decisions measures EU spatial planning context.

Language: Английский

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Behavioral Pattern of Risso’s Dolphin (Grampus griseus) in the Gulf of Taranto (Northern Ionian Sea, Central-Eastern Mediterranean Sea)

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 10(2), P. 175 - 175

Published: Jan. 27, 2022

Relatively scant information is available on the Risso’s dolphin in comparison to other species regularly present Mediterranean Sea. Recently, its conservation status has been updated Endangered by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) this Therefore, need increase biology and ecology even more urgent. This study reports first preliminary behavioral traits occurring Gulf Taranto (Northern Ionian Sea). Data predominant activity states a set group composition variables (group formation, cruising speed, dive duration interaction between individuals) were collected from April 2019 September 2021, applying focal-group protocol with instantaneous scan sampling. Group size, depth compared states. Results highlight that both size several considered varied significantly depending state. The was smaller during feeding than resting traveling characterization terms cruise animals provided different Moreover, list events which occurred, as well their relative frequency distribution among states, reported. Finally, details sympatric occurrences striped dolphins, repetitive observed adult individuals plastic bags floating sea surface, are reported discussed.

Language: Английский

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Cetacean feeding modelling using machine learning: A case study of the Central-Eastern Mediterranean Sea

Ecological Informatics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 103066 - 103066

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Addressing Cetacean–Fishery Interactions to Inform a Deep-Sea Ecosystem-Based Management in the Gulf of Taranto (Northern Ionian Sea, Central Mediterranean Sea)

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9(8), P. 872 - 872

Published: Aug. 13, 2021

Understanding of cetaceans’ trophic role and the quantification their impacts on food web is a critical task, especially when data prey are linked to deep-sea ecosystems, which often exposed excessive exploitation fishery resources due poor management. This aspect represents one major issues in marine resource management, trade-offs needed simultaneously support conservation cetaceans irreplaceable ecological role, together with sustainable fishing yield. In that regard, models can represent useful tools decision-making processes according an ecosystem-based management (EBM) approach. study provides focus feeding activity occurrence interactions between odontocetes Gulf Taranto (Northern Ionian Sea, Central Mediterranean Sea), by zooming commercial interest. particular, estimated using mass-balance model integrates information bathymetric displacement both activity. The results discussed from perspective guide future research knowledge enhancement activities as well implementation EBM

Language: Английский

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Anthropogenic noise effects on Risso's dolphin vocalizations in the Gulf of Taranto (Northern Ionian sea, central Mediterranean sea)

Ocean & Coastal Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 254, P. 107177 - 107177

Published: May 9, 2024

Anthropogenic noise may significantly affect marine mammals' vocalizations. The aim of this work is to describe for the first time acoustic features click trains, buzzes, burst pulses and whistles produced by Risso's dolphins in Gulf Taranto (Northern Ionian Sea, Central Mediterranean), concurrent levels which are exposed, potential reactive changes structure species About 6 h recordings were collected from April 2019 September 2022 during daytime boat surveys. Elevated ambient mainly present at frequencies lower than 63 Hz, about 1 kHz 50 likely attributable anthropogenic activity, such as shipping sonars. Even if all vocalizations can be disrupted, especially with increasing below between 20 kHz, trains most affected vocalizations, showing their Inter-Click-Interval Peak Amplitude. Since these used navigation searching prey, alteration raises concerns on negative effects well-being dolphin population Taranto.

Language: Английский

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Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus Historical Sightings and Strandings, Ship Strikes, Breeding Areas and Other Threats in the Mediterranean Sea: A Review (1624–2023)

Environments, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(6), P. 104 - 104

Published: May 21, 2024

A review of the last 399 years (1624–2023) on fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in Mediterranean Sea was conducted, based an extensive compilation records published scientific literature, technical reports, public databases, journals, and social media. total 10,716 sightings 575 mortality events have been computed, analysed by semesters mapped order to compare summer–winter seasons especially their implications migration–residence. Visual acoustic detections, feedings, migrations, primary production areas (chlorophyll), threats causes death relations addressed, a mini-review heavy metals pollutants has carried out Sea. Mortality were most frequent between November April, coinciding with decreased sighting period. Ship strikes posed greatest threat, peaking May October, when marine traffic tends increase Two populations coexist Sea, one resident other migratory, latter using Strait Gibraltar for its biannual movements. presence calves (up 7 m length) October February detected: scattered northern surroundings. critical zone collisions established according results

Language: Английский

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Contribution of Intermediate and High Trophic Level Species to Benthic-Pelagic Coupling: Insights From Modelling Analysis

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: May 4, 2022

Benthic-pelagic coupling (BPC) is a combination of downward (from pelagic to benthic) and upward benthic pelagic) flows organic matter nutrients mediated by trophic interactions in the food web. Hydrological changes marine ecosystems affect BPC patterns at several temporal spatial scales. Thus, food-web perspective help quantify disentangle role ecosystem components high levels species BPC. This study investigated spatio-temporal variability energy between domains two areas (Salento Calabria) Northern Ionian Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea) during different periods. The region subject large-scale oceanographic changes, e.g., Adriatic-Ionian Bimodal Oscillating Systems (BiOS), that might result relevant changes. Four models describe structure, Salento Calabrian areas, BiOS periods, anticyclonic (1995-1997) cyclonic phases (2003-2005). webs are described 58 functional groups obtained aggregating into ecological domains, depth gradients biological traits. has been quantified using new Benthic-Pelagic Coupling Index calculated on basis web estimated models. results highlight pivotal deep faunal communities, which demersal benthopelagic sustain towards domain shelf communities. Temporal driven state communities resulting considerable variations their amount consumption flows. In addition, presence submarine canyons seems better support stability both whereas geomorphological traits area seem greater production period than one. Benthopelagic show an important as couplers. particular, Aristaemorpha foliacea , Hoplostetus mediterraneus Macrourids Plesionika martia couplers bathyal areas.

Language: Английский

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Food from the Depths of the Mediterranean: The Role of Habitats, Changes in the Sea-Bottom Temperature and Fishing Pressure

Foods, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 11(10), P. 1420 - 1420

Published: May 13, 2022

As part of the “Innovations in Food System: Exploring Future Food” Special Issue, this paper briefly reviews studies that highlight a link between deep-sea fishery resources (deep-sea food resources) and vulnerable marine ecosystems (VME), species, habitats Mediterranean Sea, providing new insights into changes commercial experimental catches central over last 30 years. About 40% total landing deep-water species is caught basin. Significant abundance some these with time, sea-bottom temperature (SBT), fishing effort (FE) have been detected, as well an effect Santa Maria di Leuca cold-water coral province on crustaceans fishes. The implications findings presence several geomorphological features, sensitive habitats, VMEs are discussed respect to objectives biodiversity conservation combined those management resources.

Language: Английский

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Incorporation of human–wildlife interactions in ecosystem‐based management to enhance conservation of endangered guitarfish

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 38(6)

Published: July 11, 2024

Growing human use of the marine environment increases proximity humans to wildlife and thus likely human-wildlife interactions. Such interactions influence perceptions nature promote or undermine conservation. Despite their importance, are rarely considered in ecosystem-based spatial planning (MSP). Ideally, these should be identified management (EBM), which is often purported basis for MSP. We used Marxan software data from a citizen science project documenting location, species, age, sex, activity type identify regions along Israel's coast with high probability encounters between people 2 species guitarfish. geographic distribution various activities undertaken by reporting observers. ran 4 scenarios Marxan. Two had conservation goals 30% 50% guitarfish habitat protection. In third fourth scenarios, we added goal leisure each goal. also conducted gap analysis our Israel Nature Parks Authority's master plan protected areas. found park authority was close meeting but far Different uses were more interact different life stages guitarfish, recreational occurred Identifying areas specific showed addressed decisions. Our addition certain model how enhancing dimensions can lead holistic necessary effective planning.

Language: Английский

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Initial results on the variation of whistle characteristics of bottlenose dolphins from two neighbouring regions of the Mediterranean Sea: Northern Ionian and Southern Adriatic Sea

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: Jan. 23, 2023

Bottlenose dolphins have a complex vocal repertoire that varies depending on behavioral context, social structure, group composition, and anthropogenic pressures. This current study describes the whistle characteristics of bottlenose for first time in South Adriatic Sea while assessing potential differences between geographically separated within neighbouring waters North Ionian Sea. The results show were similar Taranto Gulf (Italy) Boka Bay (Montenegro), despite their spatial differences. mean peak frequency was 10kHz each location minimum maximum ranged from 7 to 14kHz. average duration whistles 500 milliseconds. These share similarities with previous literature, although several studies reported slightly different frequencies, ranging up 15kHz Croatia Italy. Further, harmonics produced formed 40% 30% Bay. A high incidence has previously been associated states (i.e., travelling) certain types marine traffic fishing vessels). Therefore, it is important collect simultaneous data visual behavior focal as well document type density proximity an in-depth understanding behavior. Despite Bay, contours showed notable variations. Upsweep most regularly location, which coincides Mediterranean However, least had concave contour flat Previous confirmed account Basin. Examining variation provides complexity its plasticity presence pressure. future need include behavior, noise levels, human enable effective dolphins.

Language: Английский

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