Dear MARMAM community,
My co-authors and I are thrilled to share our latest publication in the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, where we explore the critical calving habitats for humpback whales in Bahía de Banderas, Mexico. This study offers new insights that we hope will contribute meaningfully to conservation efforts for this remarkable species. Abstract: Our study identifies key calving areas for humpback whales through ensemble modeling and spatial analysis in Bahía de Banderas, Mexico. Using data from over 1,000 sightings recorded between 2018 and 2023, we mapped mother-calf pair distribution relative to environmental factors. Calving mothers showed a strong preference for shallower waters (mean depth of 59 m, 2 km from the coast), emphasizing the importance of specific habitats. We identified three critical calving areas, including a 261.8 km² zone along the north coast, highlighting the significance of Bahía de Banderas as a breeding ground and providing insights to support conservation efforts. Citation: Noriega, F., Lecours, V., Frisch-Jordán, A., & Medrano-González, L. (2024). Identifying humpback whale calving grounds: ensemble modelling and spatial analysis of critical habitat in Bahía de Banderas, Mexico. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 104, e83, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315424000821 You can access the publication via the following link.<https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-the-marine-biological-association-of-the-united-kingdom/article/identifying-humpback-whale-calving-grounds-ensemble-modelling-and-spatial-analysis-of-critical-habitat-in-bahia-de-banderas-mexico/D504064C67B802950A4F1377F005E272> We invite you to read the full article, which is open access, through the link above. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback at fernandonori...@ufl.edu<mailto:fernandonori...@ufl.edu>. Warm regards, Fernando Noriega PhD
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