Rafting behaviour of seabirds as a proxy to describe surface ocean currents in the Balearic Sea.

ABSTRACT: Spatio-temporal variability of surface geostrophic mesoscale currents in the Balearic Sea (western Mediterranean) is characterized from satellite altimetry in combination with in-situ velocity measurements collected, among others, by drifting buoys, gliders and high-frequency radar. Here, we explore the use of tracking data from living organisms in the Balearic Sea as an alternative way to acquire in-situ velocity measurements. Specifically, we use GPS-tracks of resting Scopoli's shearwaters Calonectris diomedea, that act as passive drifters, and compare them with satellite-derived velocity patterns. Results suggest that animal-borne GPS data can be used to identify rafting behaviour outside of the breeding colonies and, furthermore, as a proxy to describe local sea surface currents. Four

SUBMITTER: Sanchez-Roman A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7052213 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature