Supporting Wildlife with Statistics | Mathematical Moments #169

Summary

In this Mathematical Moment, Dr. Outi Tervo from the Greenland Institute for Natural Resources discusses a collaboration with the University of Copenhagen's math department to apply mathematics to animal research in the Arctic. The focus is on narwhal behavior and how it's affected by climate change and human activity. By using applied statistics, they've quantified changes in diving and acoustic behavior in response to noise, providing data to inform government policies on vessel speed and noise levels to protect these Arctic whales.

Takeaways

• 🔬 The Greenland Institute for Natural Resources partnered with the University of Copenhagen to apply mathematics to animal research, focusing on understanding animal behavior patterns.
• 🐳 The research primarily studied narwhals, an Arctic whale species, to assess how climate change and human activities are affecting their migration and diving behavior.
• 🌐 The collaboration aimed to quantify the 'fluffy' aspects of animal behavior, such as seemingly random movements, by applying statistical analysis to identify underlying patterns.
• 🌡️ Climate change, particularly the reduction of sea ice, is a significant concern for Arctic species like the narwhal, which are endemic to the region.
• 🚢 The study found that narwhals are highly sensitive to noise from vessels, which can disrupt their foraging behavior at greater distances than previously thought.
• 📉 The research observed a clear decline in the acoustic signals used by narwhals for foraging, indicating that noise pollution is affecting their ability to find food.
• 📊 Mathematicians provided crucial tools to determine at what distance and to what extent the normal behavior of narwhals changes due to noise exposure.
• 🌟 The interdisciplinary collaboration between biologists and mathematicians was rewarding, offering new perspectives on analyzing biological data.
• 🛑 The findings have influenced policy advice, enabling recommendations on safe noise and vessel speed levels to protect narwhals and manage the Arctic environment better.
• 🔊 The study highlighted the importance of considering the energetic impacts on narwhals due to disrupted foraging behavior, which can have long-term effects on their survival.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the collaboration between the Greenland Institute for Natural Resources and the University of Copenhagen's math department?

The collaboration aims to apply mathematics and statistics to better understand and quantify animal behavior in the Arctic, specifically focusing on the effects of climate change and human impact on narwhals.

Why is animal behavior considered 'fluffy' in the context of this discussion?

Animal behavior is referred to as 'fluffy' because it can appear random and is challenging to quantify. The researchers are seeking to apply mathematical models and statistical analysis to provide a more structured and quantifiable approach to studying these behaviors.

What specific questions are the researchers hoping to answer with the help of mathematics?

The researchers are particularly interested in understanding how climate change and human activities are affecting the migration and diving behavior of narwhals, as well as their acoustic behavior and foraging patterns.

Why is the study of narwhal behavior significant in the context of climate change?

Narwhals are endemic to the Arctic and are particularly sensitive to changes in their environment due to climate change. Studying their behavior can provide insights into the impacts of these changes on Arctic ecosystems and help inform conservation efforts.

How does the diminishing sea ice in the Arctic affect the narwhals and the research on their behavior?

Diminishing sea ice allows for increased human activity in the Arctic, which can disrupt the narwhals' behavior. The research aims to understand these disruptions to advise on better protection measures for the species.

What role do narwhals play in Inuit culture, and why is this relevant to the research?

Narwhals are important to Inuit culture in Greenland and Canada, serving as a significant prey item for hunters. The research aims to maintain this cultural practice by ensuring the species' safety and the health of their Arctic environment.

What high-resolution behavioral changes have been observed in narwhals when exposed to noise?

The research has found that narwhals change their diving behavior, spending less time at the surface and altering their foraging patterns when exposed to noise. This can impact their energy levels and overall health.

How has the research influenced advice given to the Greenland government regarding narwhal protection?

The research has led to more specific advice on acceptable noise levels and vessel speeds in narwhal habitats, as it has become clear that narwhals are more sensitive to noise than previously thought.

What insights have been gained from analyzing the acoustic behavior of narwhals?

The research has shown a clear decline in the acoustic signals used by narwhals for foraging when they are exposed to noise, indicating that their foraging behavior is being disrupted.

How has the interdisciplinary collaboration with mathematicians benefited the research?

The collaboration has been rewarding, providing new ideas, tools, and ways of analyzing data. Mathematicians have helped identify patterns and structures in the data that were not as apparent to biologists, leading to a deeper understanding of the behavioral changes in narwhals.

What specific mathematical techniques were used to determine the impact of noise on narwhal behavior?

The researchers used mathematical models to establish thresholds at which the normal behavior of narwhals changed by specific percentages and to determine the distance at which these changes occurred in response to exposure to vessels.