Hi all, we are pleased to announce the following paper published online, please email me for pdf’s. best, Ellen
Funayama, K., Hines, E., Davis, J, and S. Allen. Effects of sea-level rise on northern elephant seals at Point Reyes peninsula, California.
Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater
Ecosystems.
DOI: 10.1002/aqc.2318
ABSTRACT
1. Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) historically experienced a significant population decrease to the
brink of extinction owing to human exploitation, but have since recovered and recolonized former breeding/haul-out
sites. Point Reyes Peninsula, California, is one location where population increase has resulted in colony expansion.
2. Initial models identified suitable breeding haul-outs and suggested that human disturbance, geomorphology,
mean wave height, and slope were important explanatory variables. Three sea-level rise (SLR) scenarios were run,
which indicated that most current and potential haul-out sites would largely be inundated by 2050. Because the
Point Reyes coast has limited suitable habitat for the seals to colonize, conservation measures may guide
management responses to SLR.
3. The resulting analyses can be used to better understand local-scale seal responses to SLR and contribute to
effective management of pinnipeds within Point Reyes National Seashore and elsewhere.
Ellen Hines, PhD
Professor of Geography
Marine & Coastal Conservation and Spatial Planning Lab
Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies
San Francisco State University
3152 Paradise Drive
Tiburon, CA 94920 USA
1 415 338 1482
Fax: 1 415 338 6243
gis.sfsu.edu/coastal