Effects of sea‐level rise on northern elephant seal breeding habitat at Point Reyes Peninsula, California

Abstract

1. Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) historically experienced a significant population decrease to the brink of extinction owing to human exploitation, but have since recovered and recolonized former breeding/haul-out sites. Point Reyes Peninsula, California, is one location where population increase has resulted in colony expansion.2. Initial models identified suitable breeding haul-outs and suggested that human disturbance, geomorphology, mean wave height, and slope were important explanatory variables. Three sea-level rise (SLR) scenarios were run, which indicated that most current and potential haul-out sites would largely be inundated by 2050. Because the Point Reyes coast has limited suitable habitat for the seals to colonize, conservation measures may guide management responses to SLR.3. The resulting analyses can be used to better understand local-scale seal responses to SLR and contribute to effective management of pinnipeds within Point Reyes National Seashore and elsewhere.

Effects of sea‐level rise and storm‐enhanced flooding on Pacific harbour seal habitat: A comparison of haul‐out changes at the Russian and Eel river estuaries

“…This observation may be best explored with higher resolution methods that have the capacity to capture the curviness of features (Guo et al, 2017). Habitat losses with SLR are seen for a variety of species and types of coastal ecosystems (Funayama et al, 2013;Pike, Roznik & Bell, 2015;Cloern et al, 2016).…”

“…Increasing inundation from sea‐level rise and storm enhanced water levels are projected to change coastal habitats (Grigg et al, 2009; Karl, Melillo & Peterson, 2009; Parris et al, 2012; Funayama et al, 2013). These phenomena are already being observed in coastal areas (Tebaldi, Strauss & Zervas, 2012; Wang et al, 2017).…”

“…Harbour seals are a natural indicator species because of their abundance, wide distribution, site fidelity, and sensitivity to changes in their habitat (Suryan & Harvey, 1998; Funayama et al, 2013). They are also relatively easily observed on land at terrestrial habitats that are essential for resting, pupping, and moulting (Allen, 1991; Jansen et al, 2015).…”

“…Although their current patterns of habitat use are relatively observable, there are knowledge gaps concerning the effects of climate change on harbour seal haulout habitat (Funayama et al, 2013).…”

Human-caused climate change in United States national parks and solutions for the future

“…In Noatak National Preserve, climate change shifted boreal conifer forest northward onto formerly treeless tundra between 1800 and 1990 (Suarez et al 1999). (Funayama et al 2013). An analysis of 22 coastal national parks indicated that the parks along the Atlantic Ocean were most at risk from sea level rise (Pendleton et al 2010).…”