Predicting the impacts of anthropogenic disturbances on marine populations

• DOI: 10.1111/conl.12563
• Publication Date: 2018-05-07T14:57:03Z
• Authors: Jacob Nabe‐Nielsen; Floris M van Beest; Volker Grimm; Richard M Sibly; Jonas Teilmann; Paul M Thompson
• Keywords: Marine ecosystem; Population model; Marine Spatial Planning

Abstract Marine ecosystems are increasingly exposed to anthropogenic disturbances that cause animals change behavior and move away from potential foraging grounds. Here we present a process‐based modeling framework for assessing population consequences of such sub‐lethal behavioral effects. It builds directly on how influence animal movements, energetics, is therefore applicable wide range species. To demonstrate the model assess impact wind farm construction noise North Sea harbor porpoise population. Subsequently, can be used minimize impacts through spatial planning. Population models build fundamental processes determine fitness have high predictive power in novel environments, making them ideal marine management.