Journal article
Assessing variation in assemblages of large marine fauna off ocean beaches using drones
Marine and freshwater research, Vol.71(1), pp.68-77
2020
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Source: InCites
Abstract
The turbulent waters off ocean beaches provide habitat for large marine fauna, including dolphins, sharks, rays, turtles and game fish. Although, historically, these assemblages have proven difficult to quantify, we used a new drone-based approach to assess spatial and temporal variation in assemblages of large marine fauna off four exposed beaches in New South Wales, Australia. In total, 4388 individual large marine animals were identified from 216 drone flights. The most common taxa, bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.) and Australian cownose rays (Rhinoptera neglecta), occurred in 25.5 and 19.9% of flights respectively. White (Carcharodon carcharias), bull (Carcharhinus leucas) and other whaler (Carcharhinus spp.) sharks were observed in <1% of flights. There was significant variation in the structure of assemblages of large fauna among beaches, with those adjacent to riverine estuaries having greater richness and abundance of wildlife. Overall, drone surveys were successful in documenting the spatio-temporal dynamics of an impressive suite of large marine fauna. We contend that emerging drone technology can make a valuable contribution to the ecological information required to ensure the long-term sustainability of sandy-beach ecosystems and associated marine wildlife.
Details
- Title
- Assessing variation in assemblages of large marine fauna off ocean beaches using drones
- Creators
- Brendan P Kelaher - Southern Cross UniversityAndrew P Colefax - Southern Cross UniversityAlejandro Tagliafico - Southern Cross UniversityMelanie J Bishop - Macquarie UniversityAnna Giles - Southern Cross UniversityPaul A Butcher - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Marine and freshwater research, Vol.71(1), pp.68-77
- Identifiers
- 991012927065802368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science; National Marine Science Centre
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article