Assessment of gray whale feeding grounds and sea floor interaction in the northeastern Bering Sea

Nelson, Claudia; Johnson, Kera; Barber, J.

doi:10.3133/ofr83727

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Foraging tactics adopted by marine consumers can affect the physical structure of habitats, a form of "ecosystem engineering" (Nelson et al, 1983;Nakaoka et al, 2002;Ray et al, 2006). Bioturbation is recognized as a major (but overlooked) driver of ecosystem dynamics and evolution (Meysman et al, 2006).…”

Section: Bioturbationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional Roles and Ecological Importance of Small Cetaceans in Aquatic Ecosystems

2022

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Small cetaceans (dolphins, porpoises, and small toothed whales) occur from the poles to the tropics, and from freshwater habitats to the open ocean. Most ecological research has focused on the influence of abiotic factors on the abundance, distribution, and behavior of these species. The ecological impacts of small cetaceans on communities and ecosystems remain poorly quantified. Their movement patterns, often high local and regional abundances across a range of ecosystems, and high metabolic rates suggest that small cetaceans could have large effects on ecosystem structure, dynamics, and function through a variety of mechanisms. These include top-down (e.g., direct predation and risk effects) and bottom-up effects (e.g., translocation of nutrients within and across ecosystems), but also behavior-mediated processes where these predators can facilitate access to resources to other predators or modify the physical properties of habitat (e.g., bioturbation). Most small cetaceans can be consumed by other marine predators, particularly killer whales (Orcinus orca) and large sharks. Although consumption rates of small cetaceans can be high, there is a paucity of information on their effects on population sizes or behaviors of their prey. Mass-balance ecosystem models suggest that small cetaceans may impact the populations of short-lived prey species (particularly fish and cephalopods), but other factors (e.g., eutrophication and fisheries) also affect ecosystem functioning and population trends. Delphinids can also mediate the translocation and recycling of limiting nutrients between spatially distinct ecosystems on a diel basis. Despite intriguing possibilities, large gaps remain in our understanding of the roles and importance of small cetaceans in aquatic ecosystems, both marine and freshwater.

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Section: Bioturbationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional Roles and Ecological Importance of Small Cetaceans in Aquatic Ecosystems

2022

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“…First described by Darwin (1881) in his last book (although not termed as such), bioturbation is acknowledged to be a major driver of species and ecosystem evolution (Meysman et al 2006). A range of large marine vertebrates are known to have substantial impacts on sediment movement, infauna community structure, and nutrient fluxes via bioturbation, such as foraging gray whales Eschrichtius robustus and walruses Odo benus rosmarus in polar coastal ecosystems (Nelson et al 1983, Ray et al 2006.…”

Section: Bioturbationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological roles and importance of sea cows (Order: Sirenia): a review and prospectus

Wirsing

Kiszka

Allen

et al. 2022

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Sirenians (manatees Trichechus spp. and the dugong Dugong dugon) are large-bodied and almost exclusively herbivorous aquatic mammals occurring in coastal and freshwater habitats of most tropical and subtropical regions. Although sirenian ecology, habitat use, and abundance have been investigated across their range, little is known about the roles and impacts of these megaherbivores outside of the trophic relationships of 2 relatively well-studied species (T. manatus, D. dugon). This knowledge gap limits our understanding of how sirenians affect communities and ecosystem dynamics. We review the literature on the ecological roles and importance of sirenians in aquatic ecosystems, including the extinct Steller’s sea cow Hydrodamalis gigas. Our review reveals that sirenian herbivory and disturbance can markedly affect species biomass, productivity, and composition in macrophyte communities, thereby indirectly influencing other community members (e.g. invertebrates) and carbon storage in macrophyte biomass and sediments. Sirenians may also couple disparate ecosystems via their movements, compete with other herbivores, and serve as prey for, and be responsive to, predators, including humans. We also identify key knowledge gaps, including (1) the ecology of Amazonian T. inunguis and African T. senegalensis manatees, (2) experimental investigations of the magnitude of trophic impacts and their potential to cascade to other species and carbon dynamics, (3) the roles and impacts of sirenians as omnivores, and (4) the non-consumptive effects of predators on sirenians other than dugongs. Finally, we highlight crucial avenues for future sirenian research, including changes to their ecology in the face of ongoing seagrass declines and climate change.

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Sea-floor gouges caused by migrating gray whales off northern California

Cacchione

Drake

Field

et al. 1987

Continental Shelf Research

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Assessment of gray whale feeding grounds and sea floor interaction in the northeastern Bering Sea

Cited by 4 publications

References 25 publications

Functional Roles and Ecological Importance of Small Cetaceans in Aquatic Ecosystems

Functional Roles and Ecological Importance of Small Cetaceans in Aquatic Ecosystems

Ecological roles and importance of sea cows (Order: Sirenia): a review and prospectus

Sea-floor gouges caused by migrating gray whales off northern California

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