Environmental models for predicting oceanic dolphin habitat in the Northeast Atlantic

摘要: Dolphin distributions have been related to a range of oceanographic determinants. The complex topography and hydrography the Faroe-Shetland Channel significant influence on distribution many species. However, there is no published detail how dolphin are influenced by either or hydrography. study therefore aims relate in environmental variables, using general additive modelling framework applied passive acoustic survey data. Models were created data from 2001, cross-validated test their predictive power. Predictions calculated at each stage model-building process, tested against 2002. results suggest that water noise level, time day, month, depth, surface temperature influences probability detecting dolphins acoustically during 2001. Furthermore, model was predictor with greatest power included terms depth. provide information potential use understanding determinants distributions, hopefully will help managers address concerns about impacts anthropogenic activity.