Abstract

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Using GIS to Examine Marine Processes; Whales & El Nino
Track: Ocean, Coastal, and Marine Resources
Author(s): Michelle Kinzel, Julie Scott-Ashe, LeiLani Stelle, William Megill

Geographic information systems and the Marine Data Model can be used to study the complex dynamics of oceanic ecosystems. This study integrates 10 years of biological data on the abundance and distribution of humpback whales and gray whales and oceanographic data on El Nino events and related phenomena to document and describe patterns within an oceanic ecosystem located off the Pacific Coast of British Columbia, Canada. Using GIS maps and analysis, this study examines the changes in the gray whale and humpback whale summer resident occupation with a coastal ecosystem, elucidating the direct relationship between oceanographic conditions, cetacean distributions and prey availability. GIS maps are used to assess the distribution, habitat use and movement patterns of both humpback and gray whale populations within the study area and indicate the possibility of a shift in the complex dynamics of food webs in place within this oceanic ecosystem.

Michelle Kinzel
Coastal Ecosystems Research Foundation
Research
1095 Calle Mesita
Bonita , CA 91902-2405
US
Phone: 619-251-5484
E-mail: kinzel@cox.net

Julie Scott-Ashe
Coastal Ecosystems Research Foundation
Box 122
Port Hardy , British Columbia V0N 2P0
CA
Phone: 866-375-1321
E-mail: research@cerf.bc.ca

LeiLani Stelle
Coastal Ecosystems Research Foundation
General Delivery
Dawson's Landing V0N 1M0
CA
Phone: 1-866-375-1321
E-mail: stelle@cerf.bc.ca

William Megill
University of Bath
Centre for Biomimetics & Natural Technologies
Mechanical Engineering
Claverton Down
Bath , Avon BA2 7AY
GB
Phone: 44-1225-386588
E-mail: enswmm@bath.ac.uk