Tracking Dolphin Behaviors to Monitor Conservation Effectiveness

How is it possible to restore the regional hydropattern and recover endangered species and habitats? The first step is gathering data. Where are the affected areas? What species are being affected? What are the causes? The same data gathering method is repeated when evaluating an environmental project's impact on a region.

The South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Program is the largest environmental restoration project ever attempted in the United States. One division of this immense program is the Dolphin Ecological Project (DEP). The DEP team is using GIS for establishing baseline information about bottle-nosed dolphins in Florida Bay.

The team locates a pod of dolphins and then records the sighting location using a differential global positioning system unit. They follow focal animals and input their findings into the geodatabase.

Researchers record the behavioral state of a dolphin based on the criteria of travel, socialization, resting, and feeding habits. Using a YSI multiprobe, researchers sample prey density and water quality. GIS visualization and analytical tools in ArcView aid researchers in affirming dolphin feeding preferences and habitats correlated with water quality and prey densities.

GIS-generated maps show relationships of current dolphin distribution with information such as areas with feeding and nonfeeding dolphins, benthic communities, and water quality. By accurately recording the location of predator behaviors prior to implementing a restoration program, the DEP can demonstrate the progress and effects of environmental solutions.

To read an in-depth article on this subject, refer to Monitoring Dolphin Behavior and the Effect of Restoration by Laura K. Engleby.

For examples of other case studies, see the ESRI Press book Marine Geography: GIS for the Oceans and Seas.