Financial costs of conducting science in the Arctic: examples from seabird research

Mallory, Mark L.; Gilchrist, H. Grant; Janssen, Michael H.; Major, Heather L.; Merkel, Flemming; Provencher, Jennifer F.; Strøm, Hallvard

doi:10.1139/as-2017-0019

Cited by 82 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 33 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Several knowledge gaps could impact our data interpretation. First, tracking marine predators in the Arctic is constrained by logistical challenges, high costs (Mallory et al., ) and the highly seasonal environment that results in limited and intermittent access to field sites near Inuit communities typically during summer–autumn. Therefore, much of the available predator telemetry data we used are from tagging locations coincident with established long‐term monitoring studies where many of these species are known to aggregate (i.e., cetaceans and seabirds) or are central‐place foragers from colonies (i.e., seabirds).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abundance and species diversity hotspots of tracked marine predators across the North American Arctic

Yurkowski

Auger‐Méthé

Mallory

et al. 2018

Diversity and Distributions

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Aim Climate change is altering marine ecosystems worldwide and is most pronounced in the Arctic. Economic development is increasing leading to more disturbances and pressures on Arctic wildlife. Identifying areas that support higher levels of predator abundance and biodiversity is important for the implementation of targeted conservation measures across the Arctic. Location Primarily Canadian Arctic marine waters but also parts of the United States, Greenland and Russia. Methods We compiled the largest data set of existing telemetry data for marine predators in the North American Arctic consisting of 1,283 individuals from 21 species. Data were arranged into four species groups: (a) cetaceans and pinnipeds, (b) polar bears Ursus maritimus (c) seabirds, and (d) fishes to address the following objectives: (a) to identify abundance hotspots for each species group in the summer–autumn and winter–spring; (b) to identify species diversity hotspots across all species groups and extent of overlap with exclusive economic zones; and (c) to perform a gap analysis that assesses amount of overlap between species diversity hotspots with existing protected areas. Results Abundance and species diversity hotpots during summer–autumn and winter–spring were identified in Baffin Bay, Davis Strait, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Amundsen Gulf, and the Beaufort, Chukchi and Bering seas both within and across species groups. Abundance and species diversity hotpots occurred within the continental slope in summer–autumn and offshore in areas of moving pack ice in winter–spring. Gap analysis revealed that the current level of conservation protection that overlaps species diversity hotspots is low covering only 5% (77,498 km2) in summer–autumn and 7% (83,202 km2) in winter–spring. Main conclusions We identified several areas of potential importance for Arctic marine predators that could provide policymakers with a starting point for conservation measures given the multitude of threats facing the Arctic. These results are relevant to multilevel and multinational governance to protect this vulnerable ecosystem in our rapidly changing world.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abundance and species diversity hotspots of tracked marine predators across the North American Arctic

Yurkowski

Auger‐Méthé

Mallory

et al. 2018

Diversity and Distributions

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Studying highly mobile marine predators in remote Arctic regions is expensive and logistically challenging (Mallory et al 2018). Consequently, much of our knowledge of Canadian Arctic killer whales has been generated through opportunistic sightings and Inuit knowledge studies.…”

Section: Future Research Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of Canadian Arctic killer whale (Orcinus orca) ecology

Lefort

Matthews

Higdon³

et al. 2020

Can. J. Zool.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The killer whale (Orcinus orca (Linnaeus, 1758)) is a widely distributed marine predator with a broad ecological niche at the species level with evidence of specialization and narrow ecological niches among populations. Their occurrence in Canadian Arctic waters is limited by sea ice and it has been suggested that climate warming, which has caused increases in the area of ice-free water and duration of the ice-free season, has led to an increased killer whale presence during the open-water period. In this review, we summarize our knowledge of Canadian Arctic killer whale demographics and ecology, synthesizing published and previously unpublished information in a single document. More specifically, we summarize our knowledge of killer whale population size and trends, distribution and seasonality (including results from recent satellite-tracking studies), feeding ecology, and threats, and identify research priorities in the Canadian Arctic. Despite increased research efforts during the past decade, our demographic and ecological knowledge remains incomplete. An improved ecological understanding is necessary for effective management of killer whales and their prey, species of ecological, economic, and cultural importance to Canadian Inuit and the marine ecosystem. This knowledge will allow us to better understand the ecological consequences of a changing Arctic climate.

show abstract

“…Other than the practical and financial difficulties associated with research in a vast and remote landscape (Mallory et al, ), Peary caribou provide a compelling example with which to study the effects of connectivity and fragmentation on a metapopulation that experiences regular random extirpations (or near‐extirpations) within local populations (Miller & Barry, ). Peary caribou exist in a naturally fragmented landscape, with strong seasonal variation in the level of connectivity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prioritization of landscape connectivity for the conservation of Peary caribou

Mallory

Boyce

2019

Ecology and Evolution

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Adequate connectivity between discontinuous habitat patches is crucial for the persistence of metapopulations across space and time. Loss of landscape connectivity is often a direct result of fragmentation caused by human activities but also can be caused indirectly through anthropogenic climate change. Peary caribou ( Rangifer tarandus pearyi ) are widely dispersed across the islands of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and rely on sea ice to move seasonally between island habitats throughout their range. Seasonal connectivity provided by sea ice is necessary to maintain genetic diversity and to facilitate dispersal and recolonization of areas from which caribou have been extirpated. We used least‐cost path analysis and circuit theory to model connectivity across Peary caribou range, and future climate projections to investigate how this connectivity might be affected by a warming climate. Further, we used measures of current flow centrality to estimate the role of High Arctic islands in maintaining connectivity between Peary caribou populations and to identify and prioritize those islands and linkages most important for conservation. Our results suggest that the Bathurst Island complex plays a critical role in facilitating connectivity between Peary caribou populations. Large islands, including Banks, Victoria, and Ellesmere have limited roles in connecting Peary caribou. Without rigorous greenhouse gas emission reductions our projections indicate that by 2100 all connectivity between the more southern Peary caribou populations will be lost for important spring and early‐winter movement periods. Continued connectivity across the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, and possibly Peary caribou persistence, ultimately hinges on global commitments to limit climate change. Our research highlights priority areas where, in addition to emission reductions, conservation efforts to maintain connectivity would be most effective.

show abstract

Financial costs of conducting science in the Arctic: examples from seabird research

Cited by 82 publications

References 33 publications

Abundance and species diversity hotspots of tracked marine predators across the North American Arctic

Abundance and species diversity hotspots of tracked marine predators across the North American Arctic

A review of Canadian Arctic killer whale (Orcinus orca) ecology

Prioritization of landscape connectivity for the conservation of Peary caribou

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About