Evaluating the Cumulative Impact of Multiple Stressors on Cetaceans
Implementing Organization
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$3,834,230
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees (NRDA)
Funding Program
Natural Resource Damage Assessment NRDA
Details
Project Category
Science
Project Actions
Monitoring and Observations
Targeted Resources
Other
Project Description
This Monitoring and Adaptive Management (MAM) activity is developing models of the effects of multiple stressors on marine mammal stocks that were injured during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The project will develop a framework for modeling population dynamics, physological effects of stressors, and the effect of the physiological changes on reproduction and survival. The project will focus on sperm whales and oceanic dolphins, using the framework to develop models for these two groups. The sperm whale model will be developed first, and will initially be used to identify critical information gaps that will guide planning and implementation of field studies to collect data to refine the model's predictions. The refined model will be used to estimate the effects of restoration actions on the injured stocks, enabling better prioritization of potential restoration activities and evaluation of the effectiveness of completed and ongoing restoration activities. As part of the adaptive management of this MAM activity, the cost of the field studies will be evaluated against the benefits of the refined model estimates they would enable, prior to committing to carry them out. Development of the model for oceanic dolphins will follow development of the sperm whale model. However, due to the relative lack of data regarding the social organization and physical tolerances of these dolphins, this model will be used to compare effects of different stressor regimes in a relative sense rather than predictively.
Contact
Thomas Dolan(727) 551-5741
thomas.dolan@noaa.gov
Project Website
None
For official trustee information regarding the Deepwater Horizon NRDA, including information regarding the NRDA process and the status of projects, see https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/