Abstract
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 |
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