Title
Vocalizations of bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) and their influence on the soundscape of the western Canadian Arctic
Author(s)
Heimrich, A.F., Halliday, W.D. , Frouin-Mouy, H., Pine, M.K. , Juanes, F. and Insley, S.J. 2021.
Published
2021
Publisher
Marine Mammal Science 37: 173-192
Abstract
The soundscape is a crucial habitat feature for marine mammals. This study investigates the contribution of bearded seal vocalizations to the soundscape in the western Canadian Arctic, and also the vocal characteristics of bearded seals relative to sea ice conditions. Passive acoustic data were recorded near Sachs Harbour between August 2015and July 2016. Sound pressure levels (SPL) in the50–1,000 Hz and 1–10 kHz bands increased as the total duration of all bearded seal vocalizations increased, and this relationship was moderated by sea ice concentration. Bearded seals in this region had an overlapping vocal repertoire with bearded seals in other areas of the Arctic, and had seven additional vocalizations that have not been previously documented for this region. This study is the first detailed assessment of the influence of bearded seal calls on SPL, which shows the high potential of bearded seals to influence underwater sound levels during the mating sea-son. Bearded seals live in a changing Arctic seascape, and their influence on the soundscape may shift as sea ice continues to diminish. It is imperative that acoustic monitoring continues within the Arctic, and this study provides a base-line for future monitoring as the Arctic continues to change.
Keywords
Arctic Ocean; bearded seals; Canadian Arctic; sea ice; soundscape
Full Citation
Heimrich, A.F., Halliday, W.D. , Frouin-Mouy, H., Pine, M.K. , Juanes, F. and Insley, S.J.. 2021. Vocalizations of bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) and their influence on the soundscape of the western Canadian Arctic. Marine Mammal Science 37: 173-192.
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