Dugong (Dugong dugon) movements and habitat use in a coral reef lagoonal ecosystem

Dugongs (Dugong dugon) exhibit extensive movements within the coral reef lagoons of New Caledonia, often traveling over 15 km from their capture sites, with some covering up to 72.9 km. This study used GPS satellite tracking on 12 dugongs across three locations—Cap Goulvain, Ouano, and Nouméa—to reveal their space use patterns, including intensive habitat use in unconfirmed seagrass areas or those not previously observed during aerial surveys. While dugongs primarily stayed within the lagoons (99.4% of GPS locations), some ventured onto the fore reef shelf in narrow, confined sections to navigate between bays. These findings highlight the importance of lagonal ecosystems for dugong conservation and management, offering critical insights for protecting this Vulnerable species, particularly in regions with similar geomorphology where dugongs are Critically Endangered.

Cleguer, C., Garrigue, C., & Marsh, H. (2020). Dugong (Dugong dugon) movements and habitat use in a coral reef lagoonal ecosystem. Endangered Species Research, 43, 167–181. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01061