Interannual variability of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) habitats in the Eastern Pearl River Estuary, China
Quantifying and analyzing the temporal and spatial variations of cetacean habitats is essential for establishing marine protected areas and preserving natural cetacean populations. Despite its importance, studies focusing on the interannual variability of cetacean habitats remain scarce. This study...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Marine Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1566086/full |
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| author | Shujie Wan Guodong Li Guodong Li Guodong Li Yutao Zhang Yutao Zhang Jing Cheng Hang Yang |
| author_facet | Shujie Wan Guodong Li Guodong Li Guodong Li Yutao Zhang Yutao Zhang Jing Cheng Hang Yang |
| author_sort | Shujie Wan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Quantifying and analyzing the temporal and spatial variations of cetacean habitats is essential for establishing marine protected areas and preserving natural cetacean populations. Despite its importance, studies focusing on the interannual variability of cetacean habitats remain scarce. This study analyzed sighting records of Sousa chinensis and sea surface temperature (SST) data in the eastern Pearl River Estuary (PRE) from 2009 to 2022. Initially, the spatiotemporal variations in sighting effort and their correlation with SST were examined. Subsequently, the Suitability Index (SI) model was applied to calculate the distribution of S. chinensis habitats across different years and to assess interannual changes in habitat distribution in relation to climate change. The findings revealed that S. chinensis sightings were concentrated within a 227 km² area surrounding Lantau Island in the eastern PRE. The SST where sightings occurred ranged from 15.9°C to 29.8°C, with a strong positive correlation (r = 0.74, P<0.05) between sighting effort and SST. The SI model effectively identified habitat distribution patterns across years, highlighting a continuous decline in the area of suitable habitats (SI ≥ 0.6) from 2009 to 2022. The largest suitable habitat area was recorded in 2012 (a neutral year), while the smallest was observed in 2020 (a La Niña year). During ENSO events, suitable habitats exhibited a northward shift in average latitude. This study introduces novel methodologies for S. chinensis habitat research, supports the development of more effective monitoring strategies, and provides valuable insights for the establishment of marine protected areas. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-77419606efde484c9646f7f9bf754c99 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-7745 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Marine Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-77419606efde484c9646f7f9bf754c992025-08-20T03:48:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Marine Science2296-77452025-05-011210.3389/fmars.2025.15660861566086Interannual variability of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) habitats in the Eastern Pearl River Estuary, ChinaShujie Wan0Guodong Li1Guodong Li2Guodong Li3Yutao Zhang4Yutao Zhang5Jing Cheng6Hang Yang7Fishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, ChinaFishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, ChinaSanya Tropical Fisheries Research Institute, Sanya, ChinaLaoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, ChinaFishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, ChinaLaoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, ChinaFishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, ChinaFishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, ChinaQuantifying and analyzing the temporal and spatial variations of cetacean habitats is essential for establishing marine protected areas and preserving natural cetacean populations. Despite its importance, studies focusing on the interannual variability of cetacean habitats remain scarce. This study analyzed sighting records of Sousa chinensis and sea surface temperature (SST) data in the eastern Pearl River Estuary (PRE) from 2009 to 2022. Initially, the spatiotemporal variations in sighting effort and their correlation with SST were examined. Subsequently, the Suitability Index (SI) model was applied to calculate the distribution of S. chinensis habitats across different years and to assess interannual changes in habitat distribution in relation to climate change. The findings revealed that S. chinensis sightings were concentrated within a 227 km² area surrounding Lantau Island in the eastern PRE. The SST where sightings occurred ranged from 15.9°C to 29.8°C, with a strong positive correlation (r = 0.74, P<0.05) between sighting effort and SST. The SI model effectively identified habitat distribution patterns across years, highlighting a continuous decline in the area of suitable habitats (SI ≥ 0.6) from 2009 to 2022. The largest suitable habitat area was recorded in 2012 (a neutral year), while the smallest was observed in 2020 (a La Niña year). During ENSO events, suitable habitats exhibited a northward shift in average latitude. This study introduces novel methodologies for S. chinensis habitat research, supports the development of more effective monitoring strategies, and provides valuable insights for the establishment of marine protected areas.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1566086/fullSousa chinensissighting efforthabitant distributionsea surface temperatureclimate changepearl river estuary |
| spellingShingle | Shujie Wan Guodong Li Guodong Li Guodong Li Yutao Zhang Yutao Zhang Jing Cheng Hang Yang Interannual variability of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) habitats in the Eastern Pearl River Estuary, China Frontiers in Marine Science Sousa chinensis sighting effort habitant distribution sea surface temperature climate change pearl river estuary |
| title | Interannual variability of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) habitats in the Eastern Pearl River Estuary, China |
| title_full | Interannual variability of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) habitats in the Eastern Pearl River Estuary, China |
| title_fullStr | Interannual variability of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) habitats in the Eastern Pearl River Estuary, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Interannual variability of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) habitats in the Eastern Pearl River Estuary, China |
| title_short | Interannual variability of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) habitats in the Eastern Pearl River Estuary, China |
| title_sort | interannual variability of indo pacific humpback dolphin sousa chinensis habitats in the eastern pearl river estuary china |
| topic | Sousa chinensis sighting effort habitant distribution sea surface temperature climate change pearl river estuary |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1566086/full |
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