Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation
 

Seasonal abundance and behavior of Steller sea lions in Oregon

Público Deposited

Conteúdo disponível para baixar

Baixar PDF
https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/n870zt12h

Descriptions

Attribute NameValues
Creator
Abstract
  • Behavioral studies of populations provide clues as to what influences their movements and life history strategies. This is an area of study that has been underutilized in research surrounding the declining western stock of Steller sea lions, Eumet opias jubatus, particularly with regards to haulout behaviors. During the time of population declines in western Alaska, the Steller sea lion population in Oregon has been increasing. This study looks at the behaviors at three haulout sites, Three Arch Rocks, Sea Lion Caves, and Cape Arago, in Oregon for one year. Monthly observations were conducted at each site and used to evaluate patterns of abundance and behavior. Using a generalized linear model, patterns in abundance were found to be associated with site, tidal heights of >4 - oft, and hourly wind gust peaks of >6 - 9 knots. The response to different air temperatures was variable in the range of 7° - 17.5°C. Abundance varied between sites and seasons from 0-437 animals. A probability of proportions test was used to analyze the behavioral data. This test revealed various levels of differences between the sites and the different age/sex classes. The majority of animals (77-94%) across all sites were engaged in inactive behavior (lying or sitting) throughout the year. At each site, females were the least active group throughout the year and most animals were the least active during summer months. Associations between animal abundance and environmental conditions are important considerations when evaluating consequences of environmental fluctuations. Information from this study on haulout behaviors provides a baseline for future studies regarding the threatened Oregon population. Appendices include ethograms of behaviors seen each month at the haulout sites and brand resight information from 52 animals. This information can be incorporated into management and monitoring programs along the Oregon coast to further protect the population and aid in its recovery.
License
Resource Type
Date Available
Date Issued
Degree Level
Degree Name
Degree Field
Degree Grantor
Commencement Year
Advisor
Academic Affiliation
Non-Academic Affiliation
Subject
Declaração de direitos
Publisher
Peer Reviewed
Language
Digitization Specifications
  • File scanned at 300 ppi (Monochrome, 256 Grayscale) using Capture Perfect 3.0.82 on a Canon DR-9080C in PDF format. CVista PdfCompressor 4.0 was used for pdf compression and textual OCR.
Replaces

Relações

Parents:

This work has no parents.

Em Collection:

Itens

Miniatura Título Data de carga Acesso Ações
file details KatalinichJenniferD2005.pdf 2017-08-02 Público Baixar