Breeding status affects fine‐scale habitat selection of southern right whales on their wintering grounds

Southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) exhibit distinct habitat preferences based on breeding status, with calving females favoring sheltered, nearshore waters during winter. Research conducted at Port Ross, Auckland Islands, revealed that calf groups consistently selected areas with lower wave exposure, proximity to shelter, shallow depths, and nearness to the coastline. In contrast, non-calving whales showed less selectivity in their habitat choices. The study used species-habitat surveys (2010-2012) and binomial generalized additive models to analyze environmental variables such as water depth, seabed slope, distance to coast, shelter availability, and wave exposure. Validation confirmed the robustness of the calf group model, emphasizing the critical role of sheltered habitats for vulnerable life stages in marine mammals.

Rayment, W., Dawson, S., & Webster, T. (2014). Breeding status affects fine‐scale habitat selection of southern right whales on their wintering grounds. Journal of Biogeography, 42(3), 463–474. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.12443