Presentation List
1. Aven, A. : West Indian manatee tracking reveals occupancy patterns
and potential drivers of distribution
-Authors: Allen Aven and Ruth H. Carmichael
-Abstract: West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus), one of four
extant Sirenian species, are native to the southeastern US. In the last
20-30 years, under conservation and management efforts, their
abundance has increased, and during the same period, manatees have
been sighted more often in areas previously considered to be outside of
their normal range. Our research has the broad aim of characterizing
manatee distribution and habitat associations in these areas in the
northern Gulf of Mexico to determine drivers and predict effects that
various perturbation scenarios may have on manatee distribution. We
use a variety of complementary and multidisciplinary research
methods. Manatee point locations and movements are determined
using Lagrangian (satellite telemetry, mark-recapture) and Eulerian
approaches (aerial survey, public sightings reports), a combination that
allows us to study population-level distribution parameters while still
achieving the fine-grained data necessary to understand movements of
individual manatees at a range of spatio-temporal scales. Our
preliminary results show that the northern Gulf of Mexico is occupied
by manatees for most of each year. Forage resources in the region are
abundant, and occupancy dynamics are closely coupled with water
temperatures. Migratory manatees show seasonal fidelity to specific
localities within the region and to known warm water refuges in
peninsular Florida. But, cold weather related manatee mortality occurs
regularly in the northern Gulf of Mexico, suggesting that individual
plasticity in response to migratory cues may cause an ecological trap
effect to some migrants. Climate forecasts of longer warm seasons will
allow manatees more time unconstrained by water temperatures. Thus
the northern Gulf of Mexico region may become even more important to
the manatees in the US as population, habitat, and climate changes
integrate to create novel ecological scenarios to which manatees must
respond.
2. Acebedo, D. : Exploratory Data Visualization and Sonification for
Marine Research
-Authors: Paul Riker, Sonification Scientist, KAUST Visualization Core
Lab
-Abstract: Visualization is largely understood as an excellent
communication tool for researchers. However, visualization is most
useful in the exploration of data for scientific insight and discovery.
Within the realm of data visualization, the problem of large, multivariate
data presents a significant challenge. In recent years, various scientific
domains have begun to explore the use of sound as an added modality
for the presentation and exploration of data. Such approaches, referred
to as sonification or audification, offer significant advantages for certain
data types. This talk will describe data sonification as an emerging tool
for data representation, drawing on examples from recent notable
scientific work, and will consider some novel approaches for application
in the domain of marine research.
3. Aksnes,D. : Light and dissolved oxygen as drivers for the vertical
distribution of mesopelagic acoustic scattering layers in the global
ocean
-Authors: Aksnes, D.L, Kaartvedt, S., Rostad, A., Irigoien, X.
-Abstract: In this work we analyze the vertical distribution of the
acoustic mesopelagic layer obtained during the Malaspina expedition in
relation to oxygen and light in order to understand which are the main
driving factors determining the day time depth of mesopelagic fish.
4. Berumen, M. (30’): An overview of marine megafauna tracking in the
Red Sea Research Center
-Authors: Michael L. Berumen1
1
Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and
Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia
-Abstract:
The largest spatial scales of connectivity and movement ecology include
long-distance movements and migrations. Our movement ecology
studies of marine megafauna have addressed movement patterns of
several species, including whale sharks, mantas, mobulas, tiger sharks,
great whites, blue sharks, and several other species. We collaborate
with colleagues around the world to provide data useful to management
decisions. The methods and technologies used to track these animals
are diverse, including acoustic tagging, satellite tagging technologies,
genetics, and some technologies integrating the use of autonomous
vehicles. Much of our work is focused on a previously unknown
‘hotspot’ of whale sharks near Al Lith, Saudi Arabia. Our whale shark
studies include determining the population demographics of the sharks
visiting our sites, the site fidelity of the sharks, and any potential
connections with populations outside of the Red Sea. The results from
the Saudi aggregation are strikingly different from results of an
aggregation we have been studying at Mafia Island, Tanzania. Related
studies are conducted to investigate the plankton communities
associated with whale shark movement patterns. I will provide a
general overview of marine megafauna movement projects from the
Red Sea Research Center and highlight some of the most interesting
results along with exciting future directions.
5. Costa, D. : Electronic Tags Provide Novel Insights into Foraging
Behavior of Northern Elephant Seals
6. Cochran, J. : Describing a Novel Whale Shark Aggregation in the Red
Sea
-Authors: Jesse E. M. Cochran1, C. Braun1, S. Thorrold2, G. Skomal3, &
M.Berumen1,2
1
The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, KSA
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USA
3
Massachussets Division of Marine Fisheries, USA
2
-Abstract:
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is known to aggregate seasonally in
specific sites within its circumglobal range. The discovery of an
aggregation on Shib Habil (an inshore reef off the western coast of the
Saudi Arabia) has provided a starting point for whale shark research in
the Red Sea. In 2010 an array of 32 acoustic receivers was installed on
and around Shib Habil. From 2009-2012, 59 satellite and 75 acoustic
tags were deployed on sharks in the Red Sea, including 33 animals
which were fitted with both. Photo-IDs were also collected each season
and in many cases demonstrated the importance of using multiple
methods to describe these aggregation areas. Satellite telemetry
demonstrated strong population-scale site fidelity to the southern Red
Sea, as only 8 individuals ventured into the northern regions or out into
the Indian Ocean. Based on the acoustics, the aggregation season was
defined as February through May, which accounts for over 90% of
whale shark detections in the area. Levels of activity were compared
between receiver stations and the most active receivers also account for
over 90% of whale shark detections. Both the acoustic and sighting data
suggest parity and integration of the sexes within this population.
Approximately 40% of acoustically tagged sharks were detected again
the following year. Satellite data shows that 12 of these phylopatric
sharks migrated hundreds of kilometers away from Shib Habil between
aggregation seasons. Describing the characteristics of this aggregation
provides a baseline by which to guide the efforts of future whale shark
studies in the area and in the greater Red Sea.
7. Eguiluz, V. : A complex systems approach to movement behavior of a
large marine predator: elephant seals as a case study
-Authors: Víctor M. Eguíluz
-Abstract: Here, we use a complex systems approach to explore the
movement behavior of a large marine predator, the southern elephant
seal, from satellite telemetry data in the Southern Ocean. First, we will
show that the distribution of displacements of elephant seals is
described by a power law, encompassing several spatial and temporal
scales. Second, the distribution of seal residencies also displays a power
law decay that combined frequent, low residency sites with infrequent,
high residency sites. High residency was correlated with low average
speed, possibly indicating area restricted search behavior. Third, the
analysis of the entropy of the residency probabilities together with the
limit of predictability of the trajectories informs us on the stochasticity
of the movement behavior. Finally we also tested community detection
algorithms to cluster spatial locations of potential importance and the
transit between between residency sites.
8. Hoteit, I. : The Red Sea Modeling and Forecasting System: Toward
Integrating Megafauna Data
9. Hadwiger, M. (Oct 20,right after Ibrahim Hoteit): GPU-Based
Visualization for Oceanography and Marine Applications
-Authors: Markus Hadwiger
-Abstract: Scientific visualization is an important enabler for exploring,
analyzing, and understanding data. The power of visualization can only
be leveraged completely if the response of a visualization system to
user input is more or less immediate, allowing scientists to perform
visual exploration and analysis interactively. This talk will highlight
a few examples of our research in exploiting the parallel processing
power of GPUs (graphics processing units) to design and build
interactive visualization systems for applications in oceanography. We
will give an overview of GPU-based visual analysis of the uncertainty in
ensemble ocean forecasts, planning of underwater glider paths in the
Red Sea, and probabilistic tracking of particle trajectories.
10. Hussain, M. (Morning): Epidermal Electronic Systems For Marine
Environment Study
-Authors: Muhammad M. Hussain, Joanna M. Nassar, Galo A. Torres
Sevilla, Aftab M. Hussain, Arwa T. Kutbee and Mohamed T. Ghoneim
-Abstract: We live in the digital age where continuous surveillance of
our environment can provide us with invaluable information to
optimize its resource management in constructive and productive ways.
Deploying state-of-the-art electronics can play critical role to make
energy efficient integrated sensor-actuator network operable under
marine conditions. Additionally if they are flexible and stretchable,
ultra-thin and lightweight then they can be compliant to be worn by the
marine animals as wearable epidermal electronic systems. In my talk I
will discuss integration strategy to rationally design materials,
processes and devices to build such a system.
11. Hardenstine, R, : Whale shark genetics: A comparison between two
populations with different ecologies
-Authors: Royale Hardenstine, Jesse Cochran, Manalle Al-Salamah,
Camrin Braun, E. Fernando Cagua, Simon Pierce, Christoph Rohner,
Pablo Saenz-Agudelo, Tane Sinclair-Taylor, Gregory Skomal, Simon
Thorrold, Casey Zakroff, Michael Berumen
-Abstract:
Genetic analysis using microsatellite markers was performed on whale
shark populations at two separate aggregations with different ecological
behaviors. The aggregation in Al Lith, Saudi Arabia is known to be
seasonal with individuals only in the area during the months of March,
April and May. Mafia Island, Tanzania, has an aggregation found to
display cryptic residency that includes individuals that remain in the
vicinity year round based on acoustic data. A combination of primers
sourced from previous studies and other newly developed primers were
used to compare individuals within each population between seasons.
The Red Sea population was compared between 5 seasons spanning 6
years from 2010-2015. The Tanzanian population was compared for 2
field seasons late 2012- early 2013 and late 2013- early 2014. Genetic
diversity was also analyzed for the 6 seasons in the Red Sea for
comparison with the results from an Australian aggregation, where a
decrease in genetic diversity over 6 seasons has been measured.
12. Irigoyen, X. :
13. Jones, B. : Integration of the animal observations into a regional
observing system
14. Kaartvedt, S. (30’): Acoustic studies of the mesopelagic and beyond
-Authors: Stein Kaartvedt , Anders Røstad
-Abstract: Echosounders can contribute significantly to our
understanding of the physics, organisms and ecosystem functioning of
the oceans. Acoustic studies have normally been conducted from
moving vessels, using hull-mounted transducers. However, stationary,
submerged echosounders can be used in telling quite New stories. The
remote and inaccessible nature of deep-sea habitats has largely
precluded direct observations of their inhabitants; yet using acoustic
methods makes it possible to establish the abundance and distribution,
as well as in situ swimming behavior of e.g. macroplankton, fish and
squid even in deep waters. In this talk, we present results on the
abundance, vertical distribution and diel vertical migration of
mesopelagic fish, which are the major components of mesopelagic
scattering layers in the Red Sea. We have also submerged echosounders
beyond the mesopelagic zone, obtaining data down to 2000 m depth.
We here will present results on the behavior of deep sea acoustic
targets which we ascribe to squid.
15. Sequeira, A. : Comparative analysis of movement patterns of marine
vertebrates
-Authors: Ana M. M. Sequeira, Jorge Rodriguez, Victor M. Eguíluz, Juan
Fernández-Gracia, Mark G. Meekan, Carlos M. Duarte, Fred Bailleul,
Alastair Baylis, Julian Caley, Daniel P. Costa, Luke Einoder, Luciana
Ferreira, Simon Goldsworthy, John Gunn, Derek Hamer, Mike Hammill,
Robert Harcourt, Graeme Hays, Michelle Heupel, Mark A. Hindell, Ian
Jonsen, Mary- Anne Lea, Andrew Lowther, Jane McKenzie, Lachlan
McLeay, Clive McMahon, Brad Page, Annelise Wiebkin, Michele Thum
-Abstract: Movement through space is a fundamental aspect of the
behaviour of many animals and it is driven by their need to feed, mate,
reproduce and disperse among populations. Consequently, movement
influences the dynamics and the long-term viability of their populations
at both ecological and evolutionary time scales. However, we still lack a
general mechanistic explanation for the movement patterns observed.
Here, we analyse the movement trajectories of a wide range of marine
vertebrates (including pinnipeds, birds, cetaceans, turtles, sirenians, fish
and sharks) using satellite telemetry data spanning more than two
decades (1993 – 2014). We derive the resulting probability density
function of each species’ trajectories and their turning angles. We then
repeated each analysis across a range of spatial and temporal scales to
assess whether the same function can be used to describe behaviour at
different scales. This statistical approach, with no a priori assumption
for foraging strategy, means that the resulting patterns can be used to
classify movement among taxa. The probability density functions
describing step lengths for each species were varied, and included a
power law, exponential, Gaussian, lognormal and bimodal distributions.
We found that these functions could describe behaviour at different
scales for most species considered, and that the relationship between
the average displacement with time is exponential with exponent
between 0.5 (random diffusion) and 1 (ballistic motion). We categorise
the different patterns found with respect to taxonomy, morphology,
physiology, life history strategies, habitat, and ecology of each species,
with the aim of developing a general theory for the movement
behaviour of marine vertebrates.
16. Sims, D. : Understanding animal movement across species: insights
from flies, fish and fossils
17. Sun, L. : Vertical movement patterns of juvenile whale sharks
Rhincodon typus at a feeding aggregation
-Authors: Lu Sun, Jesse Cochran, Tane Sinclair-Taylor, Michael Berumen
-Abstract: Marine megafauna plays an important role in the marine
ecosystem as well as an iconic role for conservation and public
education. However, many species are facing danger because of human
impacts on their habitat and populations. A better knowledge of their
movement and behaviors is thus needed for protecting them from
unnecessary human impacts. In this study, we successfully deployed 2
accelerometer tags on 2 whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in a feeding
aggregation off the coast of Al Lith, Saudi Arabia. Both individuals were
tagged for over 22 hours, with a depth and temperature sampling rate
of 1Hz. The diving behavior of both tagged individuals displayed notable
patterns of surface feeding during early morning and dusk, and
shallow/deep foraging throughout the rest of the diel cycle. This
promising new technology will provide much greater resolution about
the behavior of these sharks. As a result, we will gain insight to the finescale environmental factors that determine specific habitat use of the
sharks. This information will enhance conservation efforts for the
species.
18. Shobrak, M. : Satellite Tracking of the Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos
tracheliotos in Saudi Arabia
-Authors: Mohammed Y. Shobrak
-Abstract: Two Lappet-faced Vultures Torgos tracheliotos were fitted in
early 1995 with Satellite transmitters at the Mahazat as-Sayd protected
area located in Central west Saudi Arabia in order to track their
movements. After release, the vultures left the reserve for
approximately seven months, both returning in the autumn. Both birds
visited areas to north-east or north of the reserve, though one tended to
range over greater distances. The movements of these two birds
supported observations of seasonal changes in the abundance of
Lappet-faced Vultures in the Mahazat as-Sayd protected areas, and also
indicated that some birds engage in short-distance migration within
Saudi Arabia. In addition, the movements of these two birds suggest that
there is a possibility of contact between other Lappet-faced Vultures
populations within Saudi Arabia and those in neighbouring countries.
This suggests that a single meta-population could range over the
Arabian Peninsula.
19. Thums, M. : How big data and complex systems approaches can
advance animal movement ecology
-Authors: Michele Thums1*, Víctor M. Eguíluz2, Ana M. M. Sequeira3,
Juan Fernández-Gracia4,5, Carlos M. Duarte2,6 , Mark G. Meekan1
-Abstract:
The rise of the internet coupled with technological innovations such as
smartphones have generated massive volumes of data (big data) on
patterns of human mobility, interactions and activity that is both easily
accessible and geo-referenced. This has allowed the number of studies
of human mobility to rapidly overtake those of animal telemetry,
despite research on the movement ecology of animals having a longer
history and now including hundreds of species. One of the key processes
enabling rapid knowledge generation in human studies has been the use
of powerful analytical tools, such as complex systems approaches that
are capable of identifying patterns at scales ranging from individual
trajectories to the collective movement behaviours of millions of people.
However, the results generated by telemetry studies of animals are now
also approaching big data status with > 700,000 Argos-linked satellite
transmitters, one of several standard telemetry methods used to study
animal movement, deployed on avian, marine and terrestrial animals
just in the last decade alone. The availability of these big data offer the
opportunity to apply the analytical tools developed to study human
movement to a wildlife context. Here, we review recent advances in
studies of human mobility and identify opportunities they present for
advancing knowledge in studies of animal movement ecology. We
describe key analytical techniques, potential bottlenecks and a roadmap
for progress towards a synthesis of movement patterns of wild animals
and humans.
20. Wilson, R. : Machinations in animal movement scales, where to
begin?
21. Zhang, XL. : Learning Human Mobility Patterns from Location Traces
-Abstract:
Utilizing trajectories for modeling human mobility often involves
extracting meaningful features for each individual, a procedure heavily
based on experts' knowledge. In this talk, we will introduce our new
model that is designed to minimize human involvement and exploit the
power of community in learning representations for individual users
from their location traces. The proposed probabilistic graphical model
learns distribution of latent concepts, named 'motifs' from anonymized
sequences of user locations. The learned representation is evaluated in
a link prediction task and shown outperform baseline approaches.