I am currently working on my M.Sc. thesis studying how climate change affects the presence of the gray whale in one of its main breeding areas in Mexico. We have considered temperature, chlorophyll and extent of ice in their feeding areas (Bering Sea, Chukchi and Beaufort) and temperature in migration route and breeding areas. In addition, PDO and ENSO indices.
Should we consider other environmental variables and / or indices, which ones?
I thank in advance for your help and support.
Dear Yessica Brau Ibarra
You probably know this literature. Maybe she will be interesting.
Regards, Sergey
Hi Yessica,
It sounds like you have a comprehensive list of environmental variables to work with already. The one factor that I often feel is left out of these studies is barometric pressure, and I say this based on the fact that many species exhibit shifts in behaviour under low pressure (storm) conditions. I do wonder whether summer seasons in the north Pacifc when there are multiple low pressure systems moving through have any effect on feeding success, which in turn might influence migration rates, etc? This is just an idea, but one that might warrant some attention if the relevant data are available.
Good luck with your MSc.
Hello Yessica; The bays where the whales have their young have become tourist attractions that cater to whale-watching. The whales are disturbed every day and some become habituated to people and boats. These conditions deserve some attention as well as the other factors that you mention. Best regards, Jim Des Lauriers
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