Density-dependent changes in the distribution of Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis) in the breeding ground Peninsula Valdes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) population of the South-western Atlantic Ocean is recovering. In the breeding ground of Peninsula Valdés, as a consequence of the population growth, expansion to new areas by some types of groups and a change in the habitat use patterns at the coastal area were recorded.

Methods

We analysed information gathered from aerial surveys conducted along the coast of Peninsula Valdés in 15 years of effective sampling in a 19-year span. These surveys were divided into four periods (1999-2000; 2004-2007; 2008-2012 and 2013-2016) and estimated the density of whales in a 620 km of coast divided into segments of five km.

Results

The density of the whales increased to near three whales per km² (averaged ove

SUBMITTER: Sueyro N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6286797 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature