Laidre, Kristin: University of Washington (Project Lead)
Project Funding:
2009 - 2010
NRA: 2006 NASA: EOS
Funded by Other US Funding: Susan Neff, NASA
Abstract:
This proposal will integrate past and future remotely-sensed observations of sea ice conditions with two large data sets on the movements of Arctic whales acquired from satellite telemetry. Daily movements of narwhals (Monodon monoceros) have been obtained using satellite-linked transmitters annually in north Canada and West Greenland since 1993 (n= 70 whales) and constitute one of the most extensive datasets available on top predator movements in the Arctic. Furthermore, movements of approximately 100 belugas (Delphinapteraus leucas) will be monitored during the International Polar Year (IPY) (2007-2008) as part of an effort undertaken by seven Arctic countries to provide a circumpolar snapshot of beluga movements under present sea ice regimes. The proposed research utilizes NASA’s remote observations of sea ice cover to characterize effects of pack ice movements on cetaceans, to identify ecosystem interactions with regional sea ice regimes, and to assess the potential impact of these changes as sea ice is altered by a changing climate. Analysis approaches are based on landscape ecology theory and quantitative spatial pattern analysis and offer new insight into how Arctic whales use the sea ice landscape. The project includes an in situ calibration of the MODIS sea ice data product using aerial surveys of the pack ice in a Twin Otter with a bottom-mounted video camera. A particular strength of this proposal is that it builds on existing and unique long-term Arctic databases and integrates available NASA satellite data products to elicit new high-latitude ecological relationships during the IPY. This project is linked to and supported by IPY project #430 and shares costs with NOAA Ocean Exploration, the University of Washington, and the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources.
More details may be found in the following project profile(s):