Effects of Anthropogenic Noise on Haul-out Numbers of Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina)
Research Mentor(s)
Alejandro Acevedo-Gutierrez
Description
Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) haul-out at sites that neighbor coastal areas with high levels of anthropogenic noise. Past studies indicate that harbor seals haul out at night when there is lower in-air noise levels. However, it is still unclear if noise pollution is the cause of this observed nocturnal haul-out pattern. To determine if anthropogenic noise levels influence harbor seal haul-out behavior, I conducted a comparative study on the number of hauled-out seals relative to in-air noise level between two sites—one close to human activities (Bellingham Waterfront) and one away from them (Semiahmoo Marina). Between July 2020-August 2021, I counted the number of hauled-out seals, recorded in-air noise levels, and tallied other environmental variables to determine predictors of seal numbers for each site. The Semiahmoo Marina had lower mean noise levels than the Bellingham Waterfront. Air temperature was a significant predictor of seal numbers at the waterfront, while noise level was a significant predictor at the marina. Although the data analysis still needs to incorporate temporal autocorrelation in seal numbers, results indicate that noise levels can influence seal numbers at sites where human activities are low. They also suggest that seals may habituate at sites where human activities are high.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
May 2022
End Date
May 2022
Location
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
Department
CSE - Biology
Genre/Form
student projects; posters
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Effects of Anthropogenic Noise on Haul-out Numbers of Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina)
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) haul-out at sites that neighbor coastal areas with high levels of anthropogenic noise. Past studies indicate that harbor seals haul out at night when there is lower in-air noise levels. However, it is still unclear if noise pollution is the cause of this observed nocturnal haul-out pattern. To determine if anthropogenic noise levels influence harbor seal haul-out behavior, I conducted a comparative study on the number of hauled-out seals relative to in-air noise level between two sites—one close to human activities (Bellingham Waterfront) and one away from them (Semiahmoo Marina). Between July 2020-August 2021, I counted the number of hauled-out seals, recorded in-air noise levels, and tallied other environmental variables to determine predictors of seal numbers for each site. The Semiahmoo Marina had lower mean noise levels than the Bellingham Waterfront. Air temperature was a significant predictor of seal numbers at the waterfront, while noise level was a significant predictor at the marina. Although the data analysis still needs to incorporate temporal autocorrelation in seal numbers, results indicate that noise levels can influence seal numbers at sites where human activities are low. They also suggest that seals may habituate at sites where human activities are high.