Seasonal movement and density can guide
military, energy planning
Date: March 3, 2016
Source: Duke University
Scientists have created highly detailed
maps charting the seasonal movements and population densities of 35 species of
whales, dolphins and porpoises -- many of them threatened or endangered -- in
the crowded waters of the U.S. East Coast and Gulf of
Mexico .
"These maps show where each species,
or closely related group of species, is most likely to be at any given time of
year," said Laura Mannocci, a postdoctoral research associate at Duke University
The maps, which are freely available online
here, integrate data from nearly 1.1 million linear kilometers of surveys and
more than 26,000 sightings collected by researchers at five institutions over
23 years.
"Though protected under U.S.
"Our maps give government agencies
and other interested parties better tools to help protect these highly mobile
animals and guide future ocean planning, including decisions about the siting
of wind energy and oil and gas exploration along our coasts," he said.
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