Identifying Ecological Hotspots in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas Esri User Conference July 2018 Erika Knight, Melanie Smith, Max Goldman, & Ben Sullender Audubon Alaska image: Milo Burcham
Identifying Ecological Hotspots in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas
Esri User ConferenceJuly 2018
Erika Knight, Melanie Smith, Max Goldman, & Ben Sullender
Audubon Alaska
image: M
ilo Burcham
Audubon Alaskais a science-based conservation organization thatworks to protect birds, other wildlife, and theirhabitats across the Great Land of Alaska. Weuse science to identify conservation priorities andsupport conservation actions and policies, with anemphasis on public lands and waters, and througheducation we seek to raise public awareness aboutthe natural ecosystems of Alaska.
Why map the Arctic seas?Increasing interest in the Arctic, intensifying development pressures,
changing climate, and a need to make informed decisions
Physical Setting
Biological Setting
Fishes
Birds
Mammals
Human Uses
Data GatheringIdentify available dataAcquire and organize
Data SynthesisSpatial analysisComposite data layers
DesignAnnual cycle mapsIdentify patternsAssessment & planning
Data to Design
Composite Data Layers
1
24Multiple Studies
Composite Data Layers
• Extent of range• Regular use• Concentration• High concentration
Intensity
Data GatheringIdentify available dataAcquire and organize
Data SynthesisSpatial analysisComposite data layers
DesignAnnual cycle mapsIdentify patternsAssessment & planning
Data to Design
Identify Patterns
Bird Concentration Areas
Identify Patterns
Important Ecological Areas (IEAs)
are geographically delineated areas which, by themselves or in a network: • have distinguishing characteristics;• are important for maintaining habitat
heterogeneity or the viability of a species; or
• otherwise contribute disproportionately to an ecosystem’s health, including its biodiversity, function, structure, or resilience.
Identify Patterns
For each grid cell:
Standard deviate of cell j =
(Value of cell j) – (Mean of values in layer)
Standard deviation of values in layer
For each layer:
Sum the positive standard deviates
IEA Method
Polar BearWalrus
Bearded SealRibbon SealRinged SealSpotted Seal
Steller Sea LionNorthern Fur Seal
Beluga WhaleBowhead Whale
Gray WhaleHumpback Whale
OsmeridsPacific HerringWalleye Pollock
North Pacific CodsAtka MackerelYellowfin SolePacific HalibutPacific Salmon
Primary ProductivityZooplankton
Benthic BiomassSnow CrabKing Crab
Coral/Sponge Gardens
Bird DensityMarine Bird Colonies
Global IBAs
King EiderSpectacled EiderCommon EiderSteller’s Eider
Long-tailed DuckYellow-billed LoonRed-throated Loon
Red-faced CormorantRed-necked Phalarope
Red PhalaropeAleutian Tern
Red-legged KittiwakeBlack-legged Kittiwake
Ivory GullMurres
Horned PuffinTufted Puffin
Parakeet AukletCrested Auklet
Whiskered AukletLeast Auklet
Short-tailed AlbatrossShearwaters
Multi-Species Hotspots Ecosystem Ecological HotspotsInputs
MARINE MAMMAL HOTSPOTS
BIRD HOTSPOTS
FISH HOTSPOTS
LOWER TROPHIC HOTSPOTS
ECOSYSTEM HOTSPOTS
maximum
Polar Bear‡Walrus
Bearded SealRibbon SealRinged SealSpotted Seal
Steller Sea LionNorthern Fur Seal
Beluga WhaleBowhead Whale
Gray WhaleHumpback Whale
OsmeridsPacific HerringWalleye Pollock
North Pacific CodsAtka MackerelYellowfin SolePacific HalibutPacific Salmon
Primary ProductivityZooplankton
Benthic BiomassSnow CrabKing Crab
Coral/Sponge Gardens
Bird DensityMarine Bird Colonies
Global IBAs
King EiderSpectacled EiderCommon EiderSteller’s Eider
Long-tailed DuckYellow-billed LoonRed-throated Loon
Red-faced CormorantRed-necked Phalarope
Red PhalaropeAleutian Tern
Red-legged KittiwakeBlack-legged Kittiwake
Ivory GullMurres
Horned PuffinTufted Puffin
Parakeet AukletCrested Auklet
Whiskered AukletLeast Auklet
Short-tailed AlbatrossShearwaters
Multi-Species Hotspots Ecosystem Ecological HotspotsInputs
MARINE MAMMAL HOTSPOTS
BIRD HOTSPOTS
FISH HOTSPOTS
LOWER TROPHIC HOTSPOTS
ECOSYSTEM HOTSPOTS
maximum
Identify Patterns
D R A F T
Mammals
D R A F T
Identify Patterns
D R A F T
Birds Hotspots
D R A F T
Identify Patterns
D R A F T
Fishes Hotspots
D R A F T
Identify Patterns
D R A F T
Lower Trophic Hotspots
D R A F T
Identify Patterns
D R A F T
Ecosystem Hotspots
D R A F T
Identify Patterns
For each grid cell:
Standard deviate of cell j =
(Value of cell j) – (Mean of values in layer)
Standard deviation of values in layer
For each layer:
Sum the positive standard deviates
Identify Patterns
D R A F T D R A F T
Not moving window Moving window
Assess vulnerability of hotspots to: Vessel traffic Offshore energy Commercial fisheries Climate change
Next steps
Assessment & Planning
imag
e: T
im S
ulliv
an/U
SCG
Assessment & Planning
Assessment & Planning
D R A F T
Shipping Vulnerability
D R A F T
More vulnerable
Less vulnerable
Thank you!
Questions?