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

Atlas Published August 2017

http://bit.ly/eco-atlas

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

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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?