University of Tasmania, Australia

Analyses of Southern Ocean satellite tracking data

Level: PhD

Satellite tracking is an important and widely used technique for obtaining distribution and movement information on Southern Ocean predators. Current modelling and analytical methods focus on identifying foraging activity, and relating this information to environmental drivers such as oceanography and productivity. There would be great value and interest in developing models that can explain why animals might move where they do. There has been a body of work done in this regard with flying birds and their use of weather patterns and winds to assist in foraging flights. This project would consider similar techniques for marine predators, and investigate their possible use of features such as ocean currents and sea ice movements. It would also develop methods for building models of foraging decision-making with respect to environmental drivers - i.e. are there cues in the physical environment that appear to influence the animals' movements?

Nominal supervisor: Ben Raymond