Satellite imagery can be used to detect variation in abundance of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) in Erebus Bay, Antarctica
Satellite imagery can be used to detect variation in abundance of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) in Erebus Bay, Antarctica
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DOI：
10.1007/s00300-011-1023-0
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发表时间：
2011-11-01
期刊：
影响因子：
1.7
通讯作者：
Morin, Paul J.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
LaRue, Michelle A.;Rotella, Jay J.;Morin, Paul J.
南极洲埃里伯斯湾的威德尔海豹种群是世界上研究得最好的海洋哺乳动物种群之一，为卫星图像提供海豹丰度和种群趋势的有效性提供了理想的测试。使用高分辨率（0.6米）的卫星图像，我们比较了从图像到地面计数的成年威德尔海豹和确定的时间趋势在埃里伯斯湾在2004年11月至2006年和2009年，2007年12月。从Quick-Bird-2和WorldView-1图像中对海豹进行了计数，并将这些计数与同一时间内埃里伯斯湾重叠位置的地面计数进行了比较。对不同年份和不同地点的数量进行了比较。我们从五张图片中统计了总共1,000只成年威德尔海豹（总共进行了21次卫星与地面的计数比较），其中大约72%是在重叠位置的地面上计数的。我们在2004-2009年期间准确地检测到丰度的增加。地面计数与图像计数之间存在很强的正相关（r = 0.98，df = 3，P < 0.003）。在单个取出位置的计数之间的相关性也很强（r = 0.80，df = 19，P < 0.001）。检出率为30%至88%。总的来说，我们的研究结果表明，高分辨率图像的实用性，提供了一个准确的方法来检测威德尔海豹的存在和丰富的变化。我们的方法可以应用于极地地区的其他物种，如海象或北极熊，特别是在对种群状况知之甚少的地区。
The Weddell seal population in Erebus Bay, Antarctica, represents one of the best-studied marine mammal populations in the world, providing an ideal test for the efficacy of satellite imagery to inform about seal abundance and population trends. Using high-resolution (0.6 m) satellite imagery, we compared counts from imagery to ground counts of adult Weddell seals and determined temporal trends in Erebus Bay during November 2004-2006 and 2009, and December 2007. Seals were counted from Quick-Bird-2 and WorldView-1 images, and these counts were compared with ground counts at overlapping locations within Erebus Bay during the same time. Counts were compared across years and within individual haul-out locations. We counted a total of 1,000 adult Weddell seals from five images across all years (for a total of 21 satellite-to-ground count comparisons), approximately 72% of the total counted on the ground at overlapping locations. We accurately detected an increase in abundance during 2004-2009. There was a strong, positive correlation (r = 0.98, df = 3, P < 0.003) between ground counts and counts derived from the imagery. The correlation between counts at individual haul-out locations was also strong (r = 0.80, df = 19, P < 0.001). Detection rates ranged from 30 to 88%. Overall, our results showed the utility of high-resolution imagery to provide an accurate way to detect the presence and variation in abundance of Weddell seals. Our methods may be applied to other species in polar regions, such as walruses or polar bears, particularly in areas where little is known about population status.