PLEASE NOTE: Application deadline date 08 Jan 2024. Applications are no longer being accepted for this project
Project Overview
Numerous seabird and marine mammal species occur in the subtropical and subantarctic zones of the southern Indian Ocean. This project aims to model and identify the species- and community-level distribution of these charismatic animals to reveal ecosystem processes and patterns in the region and support spatial conservation and management initiatives.
Project Description
Numerous seabird and marine mammal species occur in the subtropical and subantarctic zones of the southern Indian Ocean region. They breed, moult and rest at French, South African and Australian islands in the region and forage at sea in the Exclusive Economic Zones of these nations, the Convention Area, and Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. Information on the at-sea distribution of these species is important for understanding ecosystem processes and patterns in the region, and is a key component of any spatial conservation and management frameworks. Information on the distribution of marine predators is widely used to define priority areas for conservation and management, including several such initiatives in the extended Southern Ocean. Seabird and marine mammal distribution has been studied mainly using two methods: animal-borne biotelemetry/biologging and at-sea sightings records.
Using data on the distribution of marine mammals and seabirds–collected mainly through long-term programmes at French and South African islands–this project aims to model and understand the species- and community-level distribution of seabirds and marine mammals southern Indian Ocean region to: i) predict areas of high ecological significance, ii) identify biogeographic structuring of marine predator communities, and iii) support multinational spatial conservation and management initiatives in the region.
The project forms part of the project “Ecoregionalisation of the pelagic zone in the subantarctic and subtropical Indian Ocean” (https://meetings.ccamlr.org/en/sc-camlr-38/bg/29).
Analysis will be conducted in programme R, and basic experience with one of the programming environments R, Python or Matlab is essential.
The INSPIRE DTP programme provides comprehensive personal and professional development training alongside extensive opportunities for students to expand their multi-disciplinary outlook through interactions with a wide network of academic, research and industrial/policy partners. The student will be registered at the University of Southampton and hosted at the School of Ocean and Earth Science. Specific training will
include:
- General scientific computing and data analysis
- Manipulation and analysis of electronic animal tracking data
- Manipulation and analysis of oceanographic datasets
- Statistical habitat modelling using state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms
There is a possibility for some general oceanographic fieldwork. The student will spend time at the University of Southampton as well as, potentially, CNRS-CEBC in France, providing opportunities to expand their network.
Reisinger RR, Brooks CM, Raymond B, Freer JJ, Cotté C, Xavier JC, Trathan PN, Bornemann H, Charrassin J-B, Costa DP, Hückstädt L, Jonsen ID, Lea M-A, Torres L, Van de Putte A, Wotherspoon S, Friedlaender AS, Ropert-Coudert Y, Hindell M (2022) Predator-derived bioregions in the Southern Ocean: characteristics, drivers and representation in Marine Protected Areas. Biological Conservation 272: 109630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109630
Reisinger RR, Corney S, Raymond B, Lombard AT, Bester MN, Crawford RJM, Davies D, de Bruyn PJN, Dilley BJ Kirkman SP, Makhado AB, Ryan PG, Schoombie S, Stevens KL, Tosh CA, Wege M, Whitehead TO, Sumner MD, Wotherspoon S, Friedlaender AS, Cotté C, Hindell MA, Ropert-Coudert Y, Pistorius PA (2022) Habitat model forecasts suggest potential redistribution of marine predators in the southern Indian Ocean. Diversity and Distributions 28(1): 142–159. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13447
Delord K, Barbraud C, Bost C-A, Deceuninck B, Lefebvre T, Lutz R, Micol T, Phillips RA, Trathan PN, Weimerskirch H (2014) Areas of importance for seabirds tracked from French southern territories, and recommendations for conservation. Marine Policy 48:1–13.
