A PATHWAY TO UNDERSTANDING SOUTHEAST ALASKA’S BIOGEOGRAPHY: COMPARING OCEANOGRAPHIC VARIABLES WITH HUMPBACK WHALE (MEGAPTERA NOVAEANGLIAE) SIGHTINGS IN JUNEAU, AK

Marine conservation depends on understanding ecosystems in their entirety. This is pertinent when predicting an ecosystem’s resilience to climate change as effects from climate change vary among marine habitats. Southeast Alaska (SEAK) has complicated bathymetry and oceanographic processes suggested to be influenced by climate change. Primary productivity is high and areas like Juneau support a diverse assemblage of marine species where humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate annually to feed. Despite SEAK’s vulnerability to climate change and little knowledge of local (i.e. Juneau) processes, no study has yet focused on understanding local oceanographic characteristics and their effects on local biogeography. This study aims to investigate these unknown connections by piloting oceanographic data collection in Juneau, along with whale sightings, to determine environmental drivers of a SEAK marine ecosystem. As whales alter their feeding behavior in relation to prey density, we hypothesize that whales can act as ocean sentinels, serving as determinants to ocean health. The first season of data collection occurred June-Sept. 2024. Oceanographic properties (temperature, salinity, depth, pressure, fluorescence) were collected via a Conductivity Temperature Depth instrument at pre-defined sampling sites in waters near Juneau. Whale data collection consisted of whale location, behavior, and group size. Results will provide insight into regional oceanographic characteristics and how these might indicate broader-scale processes which affect marine ecosystem functioning.

Presentation Preference: Oral

Primary Presenter: Gabrille Lopez, University of Alaska Fairbanks (gabrille.lopez@gmail.com)

Authors:

Gabrille Lopez, University of Alaska Fairbanks  (gabrille.lopez@gmail.com)

Tyler Hennon, University of Alaska Fairbanks  (tdhennon@alaska.edu)

Heidi Pearson, University of Alaska Southeast  (hcpearson@alaska.edu)