Influence of environmental factors on small cetacean distribution in the Spanish Mediterranean

摘要: Habitat distribution models are one of the most up to date methods study habitat usage wildlife populations. They allow animal be related environmental features and also prediction animals based on this relationship. Seasonal aerial surveys were conducted in central Spanish Mediterranean waters from June 2000 March 2003 obtain information cetacean species. Data three common species (striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba, bottlenose Tursiops truncatus, Risso's Grampus griseus) related, using generalized linear models, local features: depth, slope, sea surface temperature chlorophyll concentration. For dolphins, no significant relationship was found with any covariate dolphins observed greater than 1000 m. The both striped dolphin significantly depth. showed a preference for between 900 1500 m deep more deep. In addition, latest two species, maps predicted by means spatial models. areas higher probabilities occurrence coincide large extent marine protected previously proposed conservation oceanic