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CORE HABITATS OF BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS IN THE MPA REGNO DI NETTUNO, GULF OF NAPLES, ITALY

Authors:

Abstract

Species conservation requires a clear understanding of habitat use. The bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is a coastal species subjected to various anthropogenic threats. In this research, we use a combination of behavioral observations and GIS analysis to identify core hotspots for bottlenose dolphins around the Islands of Ischia and Procida. The surveys took place mainly within the Marine Protected Area “Regno di Nettuno” which is organized in five zones with different levels of protection; one of these, the D-zone, is dedicated to marine mammals. Data were collected from 2004 to 2018 by the Ischia Dolphin Project, an ongoing long-term research program on cetaceans. In order to evaluate the use of habitat, GPS coordinates were taken every three minutes during the sightings and then analyzed using QGIS Kernel Density Estimation and Hotspot analysis. We conducted 1186 boat-based surveys (58332 km). During these, we encountered 91 bottlenose dolphin groups and spent 156 hours (877 km) in direct observations. The hotspot maps were created from the analysis of 71 behavioral sequences > 40 min, with a mean duration of 121 min (range 41-417). Feeding hotspots were identified N, NW of Ischia, and NW of Procida; socializing and mating hotspots partially intersected with the feeding ones, but the one NW of Procida was wider; a milling and resting hotspot was located NW of Procida. Core habitats of bottlenose dolphins are only in part protected by the zonation of the Marine Protected Area. More specifically, the hotspots NW of Procida, located on the main route to Naples, are particularly exposed to disturbance from commercial and recreational traffic. Cutting-edge conservation policies can take advantage of this spatial information to increase the safeguard of protected species. In particular, the MPA should use them to revise and enlarge the boundaries of the D-zone dedicated to marine mammals.
THANKS TO
Angelo Miragliuolo, Katia Massaro, Amici di
Riccardo Domenici, MPA Regno di Nettuno,
Regina Isabella, ODO staff, IDP volunteers, IDP
assistants and researchers.
CORE HABITATS OF BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS IN THE MPA REGNO
DI NETTUNO, GULF OF NAPLES, ITALY.
Iacono A.G.1, Mussi B.1, Lucidi P.2-3
1Oceanomare Delphis Onlus, viale Rimembranze 14, 47924 Rimini, Italia
2Università degli Studi di Teramo Facoltà di Bioscienze e tecnologie agro-alimentari e ambientali, via R. Balzarini 1, 64100 Teramo, Italia
3MPDI Human-wildlife conflict and interaction Editor
annagaiaiacono.97@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION
Species conservation requires a clear understanding of habitat use. Tursiops truncatus the common bottlenose dolphin is a species
of conservation interest, listed in Annex II and IV of Habitat Directive (92/43/CEE) that requires strict protection and the creation of
specially protected areas for conservation, managed according to the ecological requirements of the species, within the “Nature 2000
network. In this research, we use a combination of behavioral observations and GIS analysis to identify core habitats for bottlenose
dolphins around the Islands of Ischia and Procida.
METHODS
The surveys took place mainly within the Marine Protected Area Regno di Nettunowhich is organized in five zones with different
levels of protection; one of these, the D-zone, is dedicated to marine mammals. The area is also classified by the IUCN as Important
Marine Mammal Area with common dolphin (Delphinus Delphis), bottlenose dolphin, and fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)as key
species.
Data were collected from 2004 to 2018 by the Ischia Dolphin Project, an ongoing long-term research program on cetaceans. In order to
evaluate the use of habitat, GPS coordinates were taken every three minutes during the sightings and then analyzed using QGIS Kernel
Density Estimation and Hotspot analysis. The hotspot maps (5 km radius) were created from the analysis of 71 behavioral sequences >
40 min, with a mean duration of 121 min (range 41-417).
RESULTS
We conducted 1186 boat-based surveys (58332 km). During these, we
encountered 91 bottlenose dolphin groups and spent 156 hours (877 km)
in direct observations.
Feeding hotspots were identified N, NW of Ischia, and NW of Procida;
socializing and mating hotspots partially intersected with the feeding
ones, but the one NW of Procida was wider; a milling and resting hotspot
was located NW of Procida.
CONCLUSIONS
Core habitats of bottlenose dolphins are only in part protected by the zonation of
the Marine Protected Area. More specifically, the hotspots NW of Procida, located
on the main route to Naples, are particularly exposed to disturbance from
commercial and recreational traffic. Cutting-edge conservation policies can take
advantage of this spatial information to increase the safeguard of protected
species. In particular, the MPA should use them to revise and enlarge the
boundaries of the D-zone dedicated to marine mammals.
IACONO
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