Open AccessAbundance and species diversity hotspots of tracked marine predators across the North American Arctic
Author(s) -
Yurkowski David J.,
AugerMéthé Marie,
Mallory Mark L.,
Wong Sarah N. P.,
Gilchrist Grant,
Derocher Andrew E.,
Richardson Evan,
Lunn Nicholas J.,
Hussey Nigel E.,
Marcoux Marianne,
Togunov Ron R.,
Fisk Aaron T.,
Harwood Lois A.,
Dietz Rune,
RosingAsvid Aqqalu,
Born Erik W.,
Mosbech Anders,
Fort Jérôme,
Grémillet David,
Loseto Lisa,
Richard Pierre R.,
Iacozza John,
JeanGag Frankie,
Brown Tanya M.,
Westdal Kristin H.,
Orr Jack,
LeBlanc Bernard,
Hedges Kevin J.,
Treble Margaret A.,
Kessel Steven T.,
Blanchfield Paul J.,
Davis Shanti,
Maftei Mark,
Spencer Nora,
McFarlaneTranquilla Laura,
Montevecchi William A.,
Bartzen Blake,
Dickson Lynne,
Anderson Christine,
Ferguson Steven H.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
diversity and distributions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.918
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1472-4642
pISSN - 1366-9516
DOI - 10.1111/ddi.12860
Subject(s) - arctic , abundance (ecology) , bay , biodiversity , ecology , geography , marine protected area , apex predator , species diversity , marine ecosystem , ecosystem , fishery , oceanography , habitat , biology , geology , archaeology
Aim Climate change is altering marine ecosystems worldwide and is most pronounced in the Arctic. Economic development is increasing leading to more disturbances and pressures on Arctic wildlife. Identifying areas that support higher levels of predator abundance and biodiversity is important for the implementation of targeted conservation measures across the Arctic. Location Primarily Canadian Arctic marine waters but also parts of the United States, Greenland and Russia. Methods We compiled the largest data set of existing telemetry data for marine predators in the North American Arctic consisting of 1,283 individuals from 21 species. Data were arranged into four species groups: (a) cetaceans and pinnipeds, (b) polar bears Ursus maritimus (c) seabirds, and (d) fishes to address the following objectives: (a) to identify abundance hotspots for each species group in the summer–autumn and winter–spring; (b) to identify species diversity hotspots across all species groups and extent of overlap with exclusive economic zones; and (c) to perform a gap analysis that assesses amount of overlap between species diversity hotspots with existing protected areas. Results Abundance and species diversity hotpots during summer–autumn and winter–spring were identified in Baffin Bay, Davis Strait, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Amundsen Gulf, and the Beaufort, Chukchi and Bering seas both within and across species groups. Abundance and species diversity hotpots occurred within the continental slope in summer–autumn and offshore in areas of moving pack ice in winter–spring. Gap analysis revealed that the current level of conservation protection that overlaps species diversity hotspots is low covering only 5% (77,498 km 2 ) in summer–autumn and 7% (83,202 km 2 ) in winter–spring. Main conclusions We identified several areas of potential importance for Arctic marine predators that could provide policymakers with a starting point for conservation measures given the multitude of threats facing the Arctic. These results are relevant to multilevel and multinational governance to protect this vulnerable ecosystem in our rapidly changing world.