Demographics of Sea Otters 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, http://doi.org/10.5066/F7JS9NMV.
Summary
These data are .csv files of capture data from tagged sea otters in the Santa Barbara Channel Study. Sea otters were captured using highly specialized techniques employed by a team a rebreather divers and were processed by a shore team and veterinary crew at a mobile vet lab. Overall health assessments and morphometric data were collected, and the otters received colored flipper tags (for visual identification in the field) as well as VHF radio transmitter implants (for locating and "re-sighting" individuals) and time-depth recorder instruments (for archival logging of dive records and core body temperature for individual sea otters). Fields include an individual otter identification number, capture date, general location, specific [...]
Summary
These data are .csv files of capture data from tagged sea otters in the Santa Barbara Channel Study. Sea otters were captured using highly specialized techniques employed by a team a rebreather divers and were processed by a shore team and veterinary crew at a mobile vet lab. Overall health assessments and morphometric data were collected, and the otters received colored flipper tags (for visual identification in the field) as well as VHF radio transmitter implants (for locating and "re-sighting" individuals) and time-depth recorder instruments (for archival logging of dive records and core body temperature for individual sea otters). Fields include an individual otter identification number, capture date, general location, specific location (lat/long), sex, age class, weight, length, age, date each otter was last seen, dates of re-capture, outcome of each individual otter by the end of the study, and birth date and outcome of each pup born during the study.
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Demographics of Sea Otters.xml Original FGDC Metadata
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Demographics of Sea Otters.csv
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Purpose
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.
