Mapping the ArcticERMA Training

University of New HampshireApril 16-19, 2018

Erika KnightAudubon 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.

M. Smith, M. Goldman, E. Knight, J. Warrenchuk, M. Zaleski, B. Mecum, B. Sullender, D. Huffman, and N. Warnock

The Ecological Atlas of the Bering,

Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas

LONG LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS• Gordon and Betty Moore

Foundation (D. Kelso and M. Turnipseed)

• National Audubon Society (S. Senner)

• Kawerak (J. Raymond-Yakoubian, tribal representatives)

• AOOS (M. McCammon), Axiom Data Science (M. Herstand)

• Contractors (D. Huffman, E. Cline, B. Raymond-Yakoubian, S.R. Braund & Associates)

• Researchers, traditional knowledge-holders, reviewers

• Funding agencies

Collaborators

Why map the Arctic seas?Increasing interest in the Arctic, intensifying development pressures,

changing climate, and a need to make informed decisions

Make data useable and accessible to a wide range of users Develop a holistic

picture for species and ecosystems Inform planning and

decisions No recent equivalent

product available

Benefits of an Ecological Atlas

image: Moore and Stabeno 2015

Physical Setting

Biological Setting

Fishes

Birds

Mammals

Human Uses

Other Features“A Closer Look”

sections

In-depth analysis

Photos & natural history

Conservation Summary

PEER REVIEW

Data GatheringIdentify available dataAcquire and organize

Data SynthesisSpatial analysisComposite data layers

DesignAnnual cycle mapsIdentify patternsAssessment & planning

Data to Design

Data GatheringIdentify available dataAcquire and organize

Data SynthesisSpatial analysisComposite data layers

DesignAnnual cycle mapsIdentify patternsAssessment & planning

Data to Design

Census• Seabird

colony• Pinniped

haulout

Identify Available Dataim

ages: Milo B

urcham, Laura M

orse, USFW

S, Martha de Jong Lantik

Survey Transects• At-sea• Aerial

Expert• Indigenous/

traditional knowledge

• Citizen science

:)

Telemetry• GPS• Geolocator

Data GatheringIdentify available dataAcquire and organize

Data SynthesisSpatial analysisComposite data layers

DesignAnnual cycle mapsIdentify patternsAssessment & planning

Data to Design

Survey Transect

Telemetry

Census

Acquire and Organize

:)Expert

Acquire and OrganizeHow species is distributed throughout the study area

Life history use or purpose for occupying the area

Label for feature

Adults, juveniles, males, females,

mixed, etc.

Count, group size,

sample value, etc.

Season of use

How the original study characterized

the feature

Short-form citation

How data were acquired, created, and/or processed

Additional info

Polygon based on multiple sources?

Shown on maps?

Permission to share?

Data GatheringIdentify available dataAcquire and organize

Data SynthesisSpatial analysisComposite data layers

DesignAnnual cycle mapsIdentify patternsAssessment & planning

Data to Design

Spatial Analysis

Avian Survey Effort in the Beaufort Sea (May - Sept)King Eider in orange.

(Excludes telemetry data)

Image: Milo Burcham

Spatial Analysis

KING EIDER DISTRIBUTION10 x 10 km bins with KIEI present

Density: < <

Image: Milo Burcham

Spatial Analysis

ANALYZE DENSITY DATAResults of kernel density and isopleth analyses

Image: Milo Burcham

Spatial Analysis

DELINEATE CONCENTRATION AREAS90% Isopleth = Regular Use50% Isopleth = Concentration

Image: Milo Burcham

Spatial Analysis

Data GatheringIdentify available dataAcquire and organize

Data SynthesisSpatial analysisComposite data layers

DesignAnnual cycle mapsIdentify patternsAssessment & planning

Data to Design

Composite Data Layers

Multiple Studies

1

24

Composite Data Layers

• Extent of range• Regular use• Concentration• High concentration

Intensity

1.7 million square miles of ocean

50 Arctic species highlighted

131 maps

1800+ references

50+ data providers

350+ map data sources

185 composite GIS layers in the final maps

Composite Data Layers

Data GatheringIdentify available dataAcquire and organize

Data SynthesisSpatial analysisComposite data layers

DesignAnnual cycle mapsIdentify patternsAssessment & planning

Data to Design

• Breeding• Molting• Staging• Wintering• Migrating

Annual Cycle Maps

Activity

Reg

ular

use

Con

cent

ratio

n• Breeding• Foraging

Colonial

Reg

ular

use

Con

cent

ratio

n

Non-Colonial

Annual Cycle MapsWalrus

Annual Cycle MapsIce Seals

Atlas Published August 2017

Data available in AOOS Arctic Portal (in progress)http://www.aoos.org/aoos-data-resources/

Data GatheringIdentify available dataAcquire and organize

Data SynthesisSpatial analysisComposite data layers

DesignAnnual cycle mapsIdentify patternsAssessment & planning

Data to Design

Identify Patterns

Bird Concentration Areas

Polar Bear‡Walrus

Bearded SealRibbon Seal*Ringed SealSpotted Seal

Steller Sea Lion*Northern Fur Seal*

Beluga WhaleBowhead Whale

Gray WhaleHumpback Whale*

OsmeridsPacific Herring

Walleye Pollock*North Pacific Cods

Atka Mackeral*†Yellowfin Sole*Pacific Halibut*Pacific Salmon

Primary ProductivityZooplankton*

Benthic BiomassSnow Crab*King 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 Cormorant*Red-necked Phalarope

Red PhalaropeAleutian Tern*

Red-legged Kittiwake*Black-legged Kittiwake

Ivory GullMurres

Horned PuffinTufted Puffin*

Parakeet AukletCrested Auklet*

Whiskered Auklet*†Least Auklet*

Short-tailed Albatross*Shearwaters

Multi-Species Hotspots Ecosystem Ecological HotspotsInputs

MARINE MAMMAL HOTSPOTS

BIRD HOTSPOTS

FISH HOTSPOTS

LOWER TROPHIC HOTSPOTS

ECOSYSTEM HOTSPOTS

maximum

*

†

‡

Not included in Beaufort LME analysis

Not included in Chukchi LME analysis

Not included in East Bering / Aleutians LME analysis

Identify PatternsEcological Hotspots

D R A F T

Identify Patterns

Ecological Hotspots

D R A F T Fewer input data sources

Identify Patterns

Mammal Hotspots

D R A F T Fewer input data sources

Identify Patterns

Bird Hotspots

D R A F TFewer input data sources

Identify Patterns

Fish Hotspots

D R A F T Fewer input data sources

Identify Patterns

Lower Trophic Hotspots

D R A F T Fewer input data sources

Assess vulnerability of hotspots to: Vessel traffic Offshore energy Commercial fisheries Climate change

Published later in 2018

Assess Stressors

Assessment & Planning

imag

e: T

im S

ulliv

an/U

SCG

Assess vulnerability of hotspots to: Vessel traffic Offshore energy Commercial fisheries Climate change

Published later in 2018

Assess Stressors

Assessment & Planning

imag

e: T

im S

ulliv

an/U

SCG

D R A F T

Vessel Traffic vs Mammal Hotspots

Available at:

http://bit.ly/eco-atlas Data on AOOS Arctic Portal (coming soon)

http://bit.ly/eco-atlas

M. Smith, M. Goldman, E. Knight, J. Warrenchuk, M. Zaleski, B. Mecum, B. Sullender, D. Huffman, and N. Warnock