Data for Southern Sea Otter Range Expansion and Habitat Use in the Santa Barbara Channel
Dates
Publication Date
2017-01-17
Start Date
2012-03-05
End Date
2014-06-24
Citation
Tinker, M.T., Tomoleoni, J.A., Staedler, M.M., LaRoche, N.L., Randell, Z., Bowen, L., Murray, M.J., Miles, A.K., 2017, Data for Southern Sea Otter Range Expansion and Habitat Use in the Santa Barbara Channel: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7JS9NMV.
Summary
The current study was designed to provide critical information for resource managers (specifically the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, henceforth BOEM, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, henceforth USFWS) about the spatial ecology, population status, and potential population threats to sea otters in Santa Barbara Channel, with particular reference to exposure to manmade structures and sources of oil and natural gas. Our four primary research objectives were: 1. Determine the extent of movements and spatial use patterns by sea otters along the southern California coast 2. Identify important sea otter resting and foraging areas adjacent to manmade structures 3. Assess sea otter distribution, behavior and habitat selection in [...]
Summary
The current study was designed to provide critical information for resource managers (specifically the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, henceforth BOEM, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, henceforth USFWS) about the spatial ecology, population status, and potential population threats to sea otters in Santa Barbara Channel, with particular reference to exposure to manmade structures and sources of oil and natural gas. Our four primary research objectives were:
1. Determine the extent of movements and spatial use patterns by sea otters along the southern California coast
2. Identify important sea otter resting and foraging areas adjacent to manmade structures
3. Assess sea otter distribution, behavior and habitat selection in the vicinity of natural oil and gas seep areas (e.g., Coal Oil Point, Santa Barbara County)
4. Combine data on tagged animal movements, habitat use patterns and population distribution (acquired during this study and from previous studies and USGS monitoring activities), to create population-level “risk of exposure” models for spatially explicit threats such as natural oil seeps or hypothetical oil spill scenarios.
These data were used to support the folowing publication:
Tinker, M.T., Tomoleoni, Joseph, LaRoche, Nicole, Bowen, Lizabeth, Miles, A. Keith, Murray, Mike, Staedler, Michelle, and Randell, Zach, 2017, Southern sea otter range expansion and habitat use in the Santa Barbara Channel, California: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2017–1001 (OCS Study BOEM 2017-002), 76 p., http://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20171001.
The study was designed to provide critical information for resource managers (specifically the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, henceforth BOEM, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, henceforth USFWS) about the spatial ecology, population status, and potential population threats to sea otters in Santa Barbara Channel, with particular reference to exposure to manmade structures and sources of oil and natural gas. In addition to investigating the potential impacts of natural oil seeps and manmade structures on sea otters in the Santa Barbara Channel, conducting a long-term monitoring study at the extreme southern edge this species’ range provided us the opportunity to examine a variety of biological and ecological parameters that are relevant to sea otters and nearshore ecosystems as a whole. In particular, by using a comparative approach (comparing various metrics between sea otters in Santa Barbara Channel and sea otters in other locations within the range), we can determine the status of the population in this region with respect to prey resources, and identify any natural and/or anthropogenic threats to population recovery.
Rights
The authors of these data require that data users contact them regarding intended use and to assist with understanding limitations and interpretation. Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.