EFFECTS OF CONSTRUCTION NOISE ON THE COOK INLET BELUGA WHALE (DELPHINAPTERUS LEUCAS) VOCAL BEHAVIOR

Authors

  • Lindsey Saxon Kendall Alaska Pacific University, 4101 University Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508
  • Ana Sirovic
  • Ethan H Roth

Abstract

Cook Inlet beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) are listed as endangered under the US Endangered Species Act. Potential threats to this population include anthropogenic noise and coastal zone development. The Port of Anchorage Marine
Terminal Redevelopment (MTR) Project, taking place in the Knik Arm of Cook Inlet, Alaska, involves multiple construction activities including dredging, gravel fill and pile driving. The impacts of construction noise on beluga vocalizations were investigated in this study. Passive sonobuoys were deployed in a four mooring array during 20 d in August and September 2009 near the MTR Project. Data were recorded in real-time at a shore-based observation station. No beluga  whistles or noisy vocalizations were recorded during this period; however, beluga echolocation clicks were frequently detected. An energy summation method was used to automatically detect echolocation clicks. Times with and without  construction noise (i.e., dredging and pile driving) were determined from long-term spectral averages. The detected hourly click rate was higher
during times without (429 detected clicks/h) than with (291 detected clicks/h) construction activity; however, the difference was not statistically significant (t (24) = -0.56, P = 0.58). Lower frequency beluga whale vocalizations (e.g., whistles) were potentially masked, there may be have been an overall reduction in beluga vocalizations, or it is possible belugas were avoiding the area during construction activity.

Additional Files

Published

2014-01-30

How to Cite

1.
Kendall LS, Sirovic A, Roth EH. EFFECTS OF CONSTRUCTION NOISE ON THE COOK INLET BELUGA WHALE (DELPHINAPTERUS LEUCAS) VOCAL BEHAVIOR. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 2014 Jan. 30 [cited 2024 Nov. 8];41(3):3-13. Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/2624

Issue

Vol. 41 No. 3 (2013)

Section

Article - Underwater Acoustics

License

Author Licensing Addendum

This Licensing Addendum ("Addendum") is entered into between the undersigned Author(s) and Canadian Acoustics journal published by the Canadian Acoustical Association (hereinafter referred to as the "Publisher"). The Author(s) and the Publisher agree as follows:

  1. Retained Rights: The Author(s) retain(s) the following rights:

    • The right to reproduce, distribute, and publicly display the Work on the Author's personal website or the website of the Author's institution.
    • The right to use the Work in the Author's teaching activities and presentations.
    • The right to include the Work in a compilation for the Author's personal use, not for sale.

  2. Grant of License: The Author(s) grant(s) to the Publisher a worldwide exclusive license to publish, reproduce, distribute, and display the Work in Canadian Acoustics and any other formats and media deemed appropriate by the Publisher.

  3. Attribution: The Publisher agrees to include proper attribution to the Author(s) in all publications and reproductions of the Work.

  4. No Conflict: This Addendum is intended to be in harmony with, and not in conflict with, the terms and conditions of the original agreement entered into between the Author(s) and the Publisher.

  5. Copyright Clause: Copyright on articles is held by the Author(s). The corresponding Author has the right to grant on behalf of all Authors and does grant on behalf of all Authors, a worldwide exclusive license to the Publisher and its licensees in perpetuity, in all forms, formats, and media (whether known now or created in the future), including but not limited to the rights to publish, reproduce, distribute, display, store, translate, create adaptations, reprints, include within collections, and create summaries, extracts, and/or abstracts of the Contribution.