González García, L. et al (2018): Multi-scale habitat preference analyses for Azorean blue whales

González García et al. (2018) assessed the habitat use of the Azorean blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) using multi-scale environmental data.

Objectives

To analyze the habitat preferences of Azorean blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) using multi-scale environmental data.
To investigate the temporal distribution and spatial patterns of blue whale sightings around São Miguel Island, Azores.
To explore the influence of oceanographic variables (such as sea surface temperature, chlorophyll concentration, and Eddy Kinetic Energy) on the whales’ distribution.

Impact

A well-defined niche around the Azores was confirmed for blue whales, which prefer deeper water (depth >10 km from the coast), and areas with medium to high Eddy Kinetic Energy.
Whales were most often sighted in cold waters (15–17°C) in spring, and these coincided with maximum chlorophyll concentrations.
Blue whale habitat suitability was strongly influenced by dynamic oceanographic conditions, such as mesoscale features, including eddies and fronts.
The study showed that multi scale models, integrating temporal and spatial data, are useful for understanding habitat preferences of highly mobile marine species such as blue whales.

Supported UN Global Goals

González García et al. (2018) address High Wave to Life Below Water (SDG 14), by studying the habitat preferences of Azorean blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus). The importance of dynamic oceanographic features, such as Eddy Kinetic Energy and chlorophyll concentration, in determining the whales’ distribution is emphasized in the study. Habitat requirements of these species are further confirmed and marine conservation efforts supported through these findings, which aid in the conservation of biodiversity and the planning of sustainable management practices for marine ecosystems in the Azores.