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5 results on '"Doug Sandilands"'

1. Identifying modeled ship noise hotspots for marine mammals of Canada's Pacific region.

Author

Christine Erbe, Rob Williams, Doug Sandilands, and Erin Ashe

Subjects
Medicine, Science
Abstract

The inshore, continental shelf waters of British Columbia (BC), Canada are busy with ship traffic. South coast waters are heavily trafficked by ships using the ports of Vancouver and Seattle. North coast waters are less busy, but expected to get busier based on proposals for container port and liquefied natural gas development and expansion. Abundance estimates and density surface maps are available for 10 commonly seen marine mammals, including northern resident killer whales, fin whales, humpback whales, and other species with at-risk status under Canadian legislation. Ship noise is the dominant anthropogenic contributor to the marine soundscape of BC, and it is chronic. Underwater noise is now being considered in habitat quality assessments in some countries and in marine spatial planning. We modeled the propagation of underwater noise from ships and weighted the received levels by species-specific audiograms. We overlaid the audiogram-weighted maps of ship audibility with animal density maps. The result is a series of so-called "hotspot" maps of ship noise for all 10 marine mammal species, based on cumulative ship noise energy and average distribution in the boreal summer. South coast waters (Juan de Fuca and Haro Straits) are hotspots for all species that use the area, irrespective of their hearing sensitivity, simply due to ubiquitous ship traffic. Secondary hotspots were found on the central and north coasts (Johnstone Strait and the region around Prince Rupert). These maps can identify where anthropogenic noise is predicted to have above-average impact on species-specific habitat, and where mitigation measures may be most effective. This approach can guide effective mitigation without requiring fleet-wide modification in sites where no animals are present or where the area is used by species that are relatively insensitive to ship noise.

Published
2014
Full Text
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2. Designing line transect surveys for complex survey regions

Author

Len Thomas, Rob Williams, and Doug Sandilands

Subjects
Animal Science and Zoology, Aquatic Science, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Abstract

Line transect surveys are widely used to estimate the density and/or size of cetacean populations. Good survey design is essential for obtaining reliable results using standard (design-based) analysis methods. Even for more complex (model-based) analysis methods, a good survey design is valuable. A ‘good’ design is one (a) that employs randomisation in laying out transects; (b) that is stratified if density is known to vary on a large scale; (c) where each location within a stratum has an equal probability of being surveyed (uniform coverage probability); (d) that produces an even distribution of transects throughout each stratum (e.g. systematic random designs); (e) that produces at least 10-20 transects per stratum; (f) that, given the previous points, gives maximum efficiency per unit effort – for example by minimising time spent travelling between survey lines (off-effort time). We discuss strategies for creating good designs given the constraints inherent in many shipboard surveys of cetaceans: severely limited ship time and complex topography. We advocate the use of computer software, such as the program Distance, to create designs and compare their properties using simulation. We provide a link between the concepts and their implementation through a concrete example of survey design: a multi-species survey of cetaceans in coastal British Columbia. The design uses an equally spaced zig-zag configuration of transects in more open strata combined with sub-stratification to minimise off-effort time. In the highly convex inshore stratum we develop a systematic cluster sampling algorithm, and within the selected clusters use a systematic parallel line layout to ensure equal coverage probability in the long, narrow fjords. To aid those wishing to learn automated design methods, we provide Distance project files online.

Published
2023

3. Animal Counting Toolkit: a practical guide to small-boat surveys for estimating abundance of coastal marine mammals

Author

Eric A. Rexstad, Katie Gaut, Rowenna Gryba, Jeffrey E. Moore, Justin Steventon, Erin Ashe, Doug Sandilands, Randall R. Reeves, Rob Williams, University of St Andrews. Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews. School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews. Scottish Oceans Institute, and University of St Andrews. Centre for Research into Ecological & Environmental Modelling

Subjects
0106 biological sciences, QH301 Biology, Conservation, 010603 evolutionary biology, 01 natural sciences, QH301, Marine mammal, Abundance, Abundance (ecology), lcsh:Botany, lcsh:Zoology, SDG 13 - Climate Action, Boat, SDG 14 - Life Below Water, lcsh:QL1-991, SH Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling, SH, Dolphin, Nature and Landscape Conservation, Capacity, Ecology, 010604 marine biology & hydrobiology, Foundation (engineering), DAS, lcsh:QK1-989, Fishery, Bycatch, Geography, Seed money, SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
Abstract

The authors thank Synchronicity Earth, Marisla Foundation, and the US Marine Mammal Commission for seed funding for this program. Small cetaceans (dolphins and porpoises) face serious anthropogenic threats in coastal habitats. These include bycatch in fisheries; exposure to noise, plastic and chemical pollution; disturbance from boaters; and climate change. Generating reliable abundance estimates is essential to assess sustainability of bycatch in fishing gear or any other form of anthropogenic removals and to design conservation and recovery plans for endangered species. Cetacean abundance estimates are lacking from many coastal waters of many developing countries. Lack of funding and training opportunities makes it difficult to fill in data gaps. Even if international funding were found for surveys in developing countries, building local capacity would be necessary to sustain efforts over time to detect trends and monitor biodiversity loss. Large-scale, shipboard surveys can cost tens of thousands of US dollars each day. We focus on methods to generate preliminary abundance estimates from low-cost, small-boat surveys that embrace a ‘training-while-doing’ approach to fill in data gaps while simultaneously building regional capacity for data collection. Our toolkit offers practical guidance on simple design and field data collection protocols that work with small boats and small budgets, but expect analysis to involve collaboration with a quantitative ecologist or statistician. Our audience includes independent scientists, government conservation agencies, NGOs and indigenous coastal communities, with a primary focus on fisheries bycatch. We apply our Animal Counting Toolkit to a small-boat survey in Canada’s Pacific coastal waters to illustrate the key steps in collecting line transect survey data used to estimate and monitor marine mammal abundance. Publisher PDF

Published
2017

4. ABSTRACTS FROM THE 2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY FOR NORTHWESTERN VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY, HELD JOINTLY WITH THE WASHINGTON CHAPTER OF THE WILDLIFE SOCIETY, AND IN ASSOCIATION WITH NORTHWEST PARTNERS IN AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE CONSERVATION, AT GREAT WOLF LODGE, GRAND MOUND, WASHINGTON, 25 FEBRUARY–1 M

Author

Robyn P Angliss, Megan C Ferguson, Cara L Appel, Jeremy Brown, Claire Bortot, William T Bean, Katie M Moriarty, Sean M Matthews, David S Green, Stacy Anderson, Evan King, J Scott Yaeger, Ivan Arismendi, Stan Gregory, Randy Wildman, Linda Ashkenas, David Anderson, Laurie Shuster, Joseph R Evenson, Jessica L Huggins, John Calambokidis, Don Ashton, Scott Mcbain, Steve Railsback, R. Bruce Bury, Gwen W. Bury, C. Scott Baker, Angie Sremba, Logan Pallin, Shannon Atkinson, Andy Rogan, Iain Kerr, Jamie B. Bettaso, Justin M. Garwood, Ryan M. Bourque, Christopher J. West, Daniel M Bingham, Adam Sepulveda, Sally Painter, Evan M. Bredeweg, Tiffany S. Garcia, Anita T. Morzillo, Nathan Schumaker, Joseph B. Buchanan, Don T. Ashton, James Bettaso, David J. Germano, Frank Slavens, Kate Slavens, Gwendolynn W. Bury, Arianna Ilharreguy, Kiirsten Flynn, Gretchen Steiger, Elana Dobson, Mark Malleson, Brian Gisborne, Susan Berta, Alie Perez, Meghan Camp, Lisa A. Shipley, Johanna Varner, Tara Chestnut, Patrice K. Connors, Jessica E. Light, Brian P. Tanis, Joshua A. Drew, Chris N. Anderson, Anali M. Perry, Charon E. Henning, Mary Casillas, Katie Hinde, C. Toby St. Clair, Kyle Routledge, Charlie Palmer, Felix Martinez-Nunez, Christopher Cousins, Tiffany Garcia, Evan Bredeweg, Taal Levi, Jennifer Allen, Jeanne Dodds, Kristina Ernest, Erica Escajeda, Kate Stafford, Rebecca Woodgate, Kristin Laidre, Ann Froschauer, Bronwyn Hogan, Kimberly Dickerson, Jennifer Smith-Castro, Jonathan Reichard, Jeremy Coleman, James Goerz, Jared Oyster, Rich Harris, AJ Kroll, Claudine Reynolds, Josh Johnson, David Shaw, Caren S. Goldberg, Karen Pope, Nicolette Nelson, Jonah Piovia-Scott, Jessica R. Hale, Kristin L. Laidre, M. Tim Tinker, Ronald J. Jameson, Steven J. Jeffries, Shawn E. Larson, James L. Bodkin, Katherine Haman, Lisa Hallock, Lameace Kalisz, Ilai Keren, Jeff Harris, Patti Happe, Laura Hauck, Brooke Penaluna, Richard Cronn, Kevin Weitemier, Jessica A. Homyack, Matt Hane, Storm Beech, Michael J. Rochelle, Blake Hossack, Ken Honeycutt, Rebecca Mccaffery, Robin Russell, Iver T. Hull, Stephanie L. Berry, Chris Loggers, Timothy R. Johnson, Steven Jeffries, Dyanna Lambourn, Josh Oliver, Robert Delong, Sharon Melin, Pat Gearin, Tony Orr, Jeff Laake, Katie Jones, Glen P. Kalisz, Kelly Mcallister, Victoria Kaufman, Matthew Wilson, Tina Blewett, Travis King, Daniel Thornton, Jeffrey M. Kozma, Andrew J. Kroll, Jamie Thornton, Dyanna. M. Lambourn, Steve. J. Jeffries, Erin D'Agnese, Woutrina Smith, Kristin Wilkinson, Jessica Huggins, James Rice, Deborah Duffield, Michael Grigg, Stephen A. Raverty, Shawn Larson, Mark Leppin, R. B. Bury, Jeffrey C. Lewis, Jason Ransom, David Werntz, Anna O. Mangan, Jody C. Vogeler, Ian K. Breckheimer, Wendy M. King, Keith E. Bagnall, Katie M. Dugger, Brent M. Matsuda, Lorraine Andrusiak, Erin Clement, Purnima Govindarajulu, Katie Bell, Kurt Jenkins, Kim Sager-Fradkin, Thomas Mcintyre, Lisa Shipley, Stacey A. Nerkowski, Janet L. Rachlow, Lisette P. Waits, Stephanie M. Demay, Jon A. Gallie, Paul A. Hohenlohe, Jennifer R. Adams, Dawn P. Noren, Stephen Raverty, Joseph K. Gaydos, Judy A. ST. Leger, Gina M. Ylitalo, Stephen Nyman, Deanna H. Olson, Adrian Ares, Klaus J. Puettmann, Michael S. Parker, Kim M. Parsons, David S. Pilliod, Mark B. Hausner, Rick D. Scherer, Chad Mellison, Nathaniel D. Reynolds, Erik White, Stefanie Bergh, Eric Holman, Nicholle Stephens, James M. Wainwright, John Romansic, Matt Gray, Davis Carter, Deb Miller, Roger Rodriguez, Thomas J. Rodhouse, Pat Ormsbee, Kathryn Irvine, Jenny Barnett, Sarah Reif, Chris Rombough, Laura Trunk, Doug Sandilands, Hannah A. Sipe, Sarah J. Converse, Suzanne A. Stone, Stewart W. Breck, Jesse Timberlake, Peter M. Haswell, Fernando Najera, Brian S. Bean, Daniel J. Thornhill, Mira Sytsma, Laura Prugh, Beth Gardner, Tania Lewis, Austen C. Thomas, Jesse Howard, Phong Nguyen, Tracie A. Seimon, Kyle S. Tidwell, Brett A. Carrothers, Kristen N. Bayley, Lindsay N. Magill, Bjorn K. Van Der Leeuw, Andrew W. Trites, Jenny Urbina, Donelle Schwalm, Azzurra Valerio, Mariacristina Valerio, Luca Casadei, Matthew Vander Haegen, Christi Norman, Trina Bayard, Amanda Warlick, Eric Ward, Sandra O'Neill, Brad Hanson, Gina Ylitalo, Katy Weil, Logan Whiles, Jodi Wilmoth, Tlell Wolf, Jesse Short, Jay Bowerman, Christian Yarber, Caren Goldberg, Allan Pessier, Jesse Brunner, and Alexandre N. Zerbini

Subjects
Amphibian, Geography, biology, biology.animal, Wildlife, General Earth and Planetary Sciences, Vertebrate Biology, Archaeology, General Environmental Science
Published
2019

5. Prioritizing global marine mammal habitats using density maps in place of range maps

Author

Doug Sandilands, Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho, Kristin Kaschner, Sascha K. Hooker, Randall R. Reeves, Rob Williams, Joanna Grand, Stephen T. Buckland, European Commission, University of St Andrews. School of Biology, University of St Andrews. Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews. Marine Alliance for Science & Technology Scotland, University of St Andrews. Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews. Institute of Behavioural and Neural Sciences, University of St Andrews. St Andrews Sustainability Institute, University of St Andrews. School of Mathematics and Statistics, and University of St Andrews. Centre for Research into Ecological & Environmental Modelling

Subjects
Range (biology), Conservation, BDY, Density maps, Marine mammal, Marine systems, Marxan, QA Mathematics, SDG 14 - Life Below Water, 14. Life underwater, QA, Relative species abundance, R2C, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, SDG 15 - Life on Land, Range maps, QL, Ecology, QL Zoology, 15. Life on land, Marine mammal habitats, Geography, Habitat, Spatial variability, Species richness, Scale (map)
Abstract

RW collected the BC data with Raincoast Conservation Foundation, and was supported by a Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship within the 7th European Community Framework Programme (proposal no. 253407 (call reference: FP7‐PEOPLE‐2009‐IIF)) during the analysis stage. Despite lessons from terrestrial systems, conservation efforts in marine systems continue to focus on identifying priority sites for protection based on high species richness inferred from range maps. Range maps oversimplify spatial variability in animal distributions by assuming uniform distribution within range and de facto giving equal weight to critical and marginal habitats. We used Marxan ver. 2.43 to compare species richness-based systematic reserve network solutions using information about marine mammal range and relative abundance. At a global scale, reserve network solutions were strongly sensitive to model inputs and assumptions. Solutions based on different input data overlapped by a third at most, with agreement as low as 10% in some cases. At a regional scale, species richness was inversely related to density, such that species richness hotspots excluded highest-density areas for all species. Based on these findings, we caution that species-richness estimates derived from range maps and used as input in conservation planning exercises may inadvertently lead to protection of largely marginal habitat. Publisher PDF

Published
2013

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