Influence of Manatees' Diving on Their Risk of Collision with Watercraft.

摘要: Watercraft pose a threat to endangered Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris). Mortality from watercraft collisions has adversely impacted the manatee population’s growth rate, therefore reducing this is an important management goal. To assess factors that contribute risk of strikes manatees, we studied diving behavior nine carrying GPS tags and time–depth recorders in Tampa Bay, Florida, during winters 2002–2006. We applied Bayesian formulation generalized linear mixed models depth data model probability (Pt) would be no deeper than 1.25 m water’s surface as function behavioral habitat covariates. Manatees above threshold were considered within striking watercraft. Seventy-eight percent records (individual range 62–86%) (mean = 1.09 m, max 16.20 m), illustrating how vulnerable are strikes. In some circumstances made consecutive dives bottom while traveling, even areas >14 possibly conserve energy. This first documentation potential cost-efficient manatees. at higher being shallow water (<0.91 over seagrass, night, stationary or moving slowly; they less likely when ≤50 charted waterway. was 0.96 (CI 0.93–0.98) decreased increased. The greater seagrass (Pt 0.96, CI other substrates 0.73, 0.58–0.84). Quantitative approaches assessing can improve effectiveness conservation measures by helping identify for protection.