DOCSLIB.ORG

The Vocal Behaviour of the Grey Seal (Halichoerus Grypus)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Vocal Behaviour of the Grey Seal (Halichoerus Grypus) THE VOCAL BEHAVIOUR OF THE GREY SEAL (HALICHOERUS GRYPUS) Susanne McCulloch A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of St Andrews 2000 Full metadata for this item is available in St Andrews Research Repository at: http://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/ Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10023/10994 This item is protected by original copyright The vocal behaviour of the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) by Susanne McCulloch submitted in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of St. Andrews August 1999 r f "When angels fell, some fell on the land, some on the sea. The fonner are the faeries and the latter were often said to be the seals." Anonymous Orcadian Abstract This thesis is an observational and experimental study of the vocal behaviour in the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus). It provides the first comprehensive description of in-air and underwater vocalisations for the eastern Atlantic population of grey seals and compares it to the western Atlantic population. Two out of 6 in-air call types were very similar to underwater vocalisations and of the 10 eastern Atlantic underwater vocalisations 5 were comparable to the western Atlantic repertoire described earlier. Most calls were found to occur on their own, while some were preferentially associated in time with other call types. In addition, the number of particular types of underwater vocalisation did not display any diurnal variation, but did vary' across the breeding season. Experimental studies were also carried out on the role of pup vocalisations in mother-pup vocal recognition at two reproductively isolated colonies: the Isle of May, Scotland and Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. Pup vocalisations were found to be both stereotyped and individually distinctive, features normally associated with a system of individual recognition. Allo-suckling was observed to be widespread on the Isle of May but was absent on Sable Island. Playback experiments revealed that mothers on the Isle of May did not respond more to vocalisations of their own pup than to those of non-filial pups. In contrast, on Sable Island, mothers were able to discriminate between their own and other pup calls. This suggests that different selective pressures may be affecting the two colonies, and possible reasons are discussed. Declarations (i) I, Susanne McCulloch, hereby certify that this thesis, which is approximately 41 000 words in length, has been written by me, that it is the record of work carried out by me and that it has not been submitted in any previous application for a higher degree. Date ....................... Signature of candidate ....................... (ii) I was admitted as a research student in October 1996 and as a candidate for the degree of PhD in October 1997; the higher study for which this record was carried out in the University of St. Andrews between 1996 and 1999. Date ....................... Signature of candidate ....................... (iii) I hereby certify that the candidate has fulfilled the conditions of the Resolution and Regulations appropriate for the degree of PhD in the University of St. Andrews and that the candidate is qualified to submit this thesis in application for that degree. Date ....................... Signature of supervisor.. ..................... In submitting this thesis to the University of St. Andrews I understand that I am giving permission for it to be made available for use in accordance with the regulations of the University Library for the time being in force, subject to any copyright vested in the work not being affected thereby. I also understand that the title and abstract will be published, and that a copy of the work may be made and supplied to any bOlla fide library or research worker. Date ....................... Signature of candidate ....................... CONTENTS Abstract Declarations Acknowledgements..................................................... 1 Chapter 1: General Introduction...................................... 4 SENSORY MODALITIES AND SIGNAL DESIGN................................................ 5 Chemical signals................. ............................................... ................... ........ 6 Visual signals............................................................................................... 7 Tactile signals............................................................................................... 7 Acoustic signals............................................................................................ 8 SOUND TRANSMISSION IN W ATER ..... ,........................................................... 9 SIGNAL INFORMATION................................................................................... 10 Group membership recognition......................................................................... 10 Parent-infant interaction.................................................................................... 11 Territory defence............................................................................................. 12 GREY SEAL ECOLOGY: OVERVIEW.................................................................. 13 Classification................................................................................................. 13 Distribution................................................................................................... 13 Dispersal....................................................................................................... 15 Breeding ........................................................ ,............................................... 17 !.1ortality....................................................................................................... 19 GREY SEAL AUDITORY SySTEM ...................................................................... 20 GEOGRAPillCAL VARIATIONS IN REPERTOIRE................................................ 24 INDIVIDUAL VOCAL RECOGNITION IN PINNIPEDS........................................... 29 AIMS OF TillS THESIS...................................................................................... 36 Chapter 2: In-air and underwater vocal repertoire of grey seals.... 40 ABSTRACT....................................................................................................... 40 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................ 41 METHODS ......................................................................................................... 44 Study animals, sites and data collection............................................... ................ 44 Sound analysis................................................................................................ 52 Ill-air repertoire................................................................................................ 52 Underwater repertoire........................................................................................ 52 Statistical analysis........................................................................................... 53 RESULTS .......................................................................................................... 54 In-air repertoire................................................................................................ 54 Classlfication and description........................................... .................................. 54 Underwater repertoire........................................................................................ 57 Classification and description........................................... ............. ..................... 57 Frequency of occurrence of each call type............................................................. 62 A specific case: type call 1................................................................................ 63 DISCUSSION..................................................................................................... 66 A specific case: type call 1................................................................................ 70 Chapter 3: Temporal variation in underwater vocalisations........ 73 ABSTRACT....................................................................................................... 73 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................ 74 METHODS ......................................................................................................... 76 Study sites and data collection...... ....... ....................................... ......... ......... ...... 76 Temporal variation........................................................................................... 79 Associations between call types.......................................................................... 79 RESULTS ........................................................................................................... 81 Temporal variation........................................................................................... 81 Behavioural observations................................................................................... 82 Associations between call types.......................................................................... 87 DISCUSSION..................................................................................................... 91 Chapter 4: Individually distinctive pup vocalisations
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Lake Baikal Russian Federation
    LAKE BAIKAL RUSSIAN FEDERATION Lake Baikal is in south central Siberia close to the Mongolian border. It is the largest, oldest by 20 million years, and deepest, at 1,638m, of the world's lakes. It is 3.15 million hectares in size and contains a fifth of the world's unfrozen surface freshwater. Its age and isolation and unusually fertile depths have given it the world's richest and most unusual lacustrine fauna which, like the Galapagos islands’, is of outstanding value to evolutionary science. The exceptional variety of endemic animals and plants make the lake one of the most biologically diverse on earth. Threats to the site: Present threats are the untreated wastes from the river Selenga, potential oil and gas exploration in the Selenga delta, widespread lake-edge pollution and over-hunting of the Baikal seals. However, the threat of an oil pipeline along the lake’s north shore was averted in 2006 by Presidential decree and the pulp and cellulose mill on the southern shore which polluted 200 sq. km of the lake, caused some of the worst air pollution in Russia and genetic mutations in some of the lake’s endemic species, was closed in 2009 as no longer profitable to run. COUNTRY Russian Federation NAME Lake Baikal NATURAL WORLD HERITAGE SERIAL SITE 1996: Inscribed on the World Heritage List under Natural Criteria vii, viii, ix and x. STATEMENT OF OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE The UNESCO World Heritage Committee issued the following statement at the time of inscription. Justification for Inscription The Committee inscribed Lake Baikal the most outstanding example of a freshwater ecosystem on the basis of: Criteria (vii), (viii), (ix) and (x).
    [Show full text]
  • 56. Otariidae and Phocidae
    FAUNA of AUSTRALIA 56. OTARIIDAE AND PHOCIDAE JUDITH E. KING 1 Australian Sea-lion–Neophoca cinerea [G. Ross] Southern Elephant Seal–Mirounga leonina [G. Ross] Ross Seal, with pup–Ommatophoca rossii [J. Libke] Australian Sea-lion–Neophoca cinerea [G. Ross] Weddell Seal–Leptonychotes weddellii [P. Shaughnessy] New Zealand Fur-seal–Arctocephalus forsteri [G. Ross] Crab-eater Seal–Lobodon carcinophagus [P. Shaughnessy] 56. OTARIIDAE AND PHOCIDAE DEFINITION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION Pinnipeds are aquatic carnivores. They differ from other mammals in their streamlined shape, reduction of pinnae and adaptation of both fore and hind feet to form flippers. In the skull, the orbits are enlarged, the lacrimal bones are absent or indistinct and there are never more than three upper and two lower incisors. The cheek teeth are nearly homodont and some conditions of the ear that are very distinctive (Repenning 1972). Both superfamilies of pinnipeds, Phocoidea and Otarioidea, are represented in Australian waters by a number of species (Table 56.1). The various superfamilies and families may be distinguished by important and/or easily observed characters (Table 56.2). King (1983b) provided more detailed lists and references. These and other differences between the above two groups are not regarded as being of great significance, especially as an undoubted fur seal (Australian Fur-seal Arctocephalus pusillus) is as big as some of the sea lions and has some characters of the skull, teeth and behaviour which are rather more like sea lions (Repenning, Peterson & Hubbs 1971; Warneke & Shaughnessy 1985). The Phocoidea includes the single Family Phocidae – the ‘true seals’, distinguished from the Otariidae by the absence of a pinna and by the position of the hind flippers (Fig.
    [Show full text]
  • The Grey Seal
    Factsheet: The grey seal Happy Horsey Seal by Mary Groombridge Where can grey seals be found? The grey seal is the larger and more common of the two British seal species, the other being the common seal (aka harbour seal). There are 3 distinct populations of grey seals in the world, but it is the eastern Atlantic population that is mainly found in the UK. One hundred years ago there were only around 500 grey seals in this country. Now however, half of the world’s population, approximately 80,000 individuals, are found on and around British coasts. They are usually found mainly around exposed rocky northern and western coasts, however the wide, sandy beaches in Norfolk provide an important breeding area for them. What do grey seals look like? Grey seals are classed as ‘true seals’, meaning that they have no external ears and have shorter front flippers. Unlike ‘eared seals’ such as sea lions, grey seals are less mobile on land and tend to move along the ground on their belly. The grey seal can be distinguished from the common seal by its long, straight ‘Roman’ nose and wide nostrils earning its scientific name Halichoerus grypus, meaning "hooked-nosed sea pig". Common seals have smaller, rounder heads with shorter noses. Adult grey seals can grow up to 2.5 metres long; males are much larger than females, averaging 233kg in weight, while females average around 155kg. Males are generally darker in colour and often scarred from territorial battles with other males. For this reason males rarely live longer than 25 years, while females can live for up to 35 years.
    [Show full text]
  • December 20, 2007
    BEFORE THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE PETITION TO LIST THE RIBBON SEAL (HISTRIOPHOCA FASCIATA) AS A THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT © G. CARLETON RAY CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY DECEMBER 20, 2007 Notice of Petition____________________________________________________ Carlos M. Gutierrez Secretary of Commerce U.S. Department of Commerce 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room 5516 Washington, D.C. 20230 Dr. William Hogarth Assistant Administrator for Fisheries National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration 1315 East-West Highway Silver Springs, MD 20910 PETITIONER The Center for Biological Diversity 1095 Market Street, Suite 511 San Francisco, CA 94103 ph: (415) 436-9682 ext 301 fax: (415) 436-9683 __________________________ Date: this 20th day of December, 2007 Shaye Wolf, Ph.D. Martha Palomino Tovar, Ph.D. Candidate Brendan Cummings Center for Biological Diversity Pursuant to Section 4(b) of the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”), 16 U.S.C. §1533(b), Section 553(3) of the Administrative Procedures Act, 5 U.S.C. § 553(e), and 50 C.F.R. §424.14(a), the Center for Biological Diversity (“Petitioner”) hereby petitions the Secretary of Commerce, through the National Marine Fisheries Service (“NMFS”), to list the ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) as a threatened or endangered species and to designate critical habitat to ensure its survival and recovery. The Center for Biological Diversity (“Center”) is a non-profit, public interest environmental organization dedicated to the protection of native species and their habitats through science, policy, and environmental law. The Center has over 40,000 members in Alaska and throughout the United States. The Center and its members are concerned with the conservation of endangered species, including the ribbon seal, and the effective implementation of the ESA.
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Perspectives Nobuyuki Miyazaki (Born 4 August 1946)
    Aquatic Mammals 2012, 38(2), 189-203, DOI 10.1578/AM.38.2.2012.189 Historical Perspectives Nobuyuki Miyazaki (born 4 August 1946) Nobuyuki Miyazaki began his career as a research associate at the University of Ryukyus, Japan, obtaining his Ph.D. in 1975 under Professor Nishiwaki. He established a Japanese research team focused on marine pollution and hazardous chemicals using marine mammals as an indica- tor species. Dr. Miyazaki organized the research project “Coastal Marine Environment” that was conducted by United Nations University, Ocean Research Institute of The University of Tokyo, and Iwate Prefecture. He worked as general coor- dinator of the Japanese Society for Promotion of Science’s Multilateral Core Univer sity Program “Coastal Marine Science” with other distinguished scientists from five Asian countries. In collabora- tion with Dr. Y. Naito, he developed an advanced Nobuyuki Miyazaki (Photo courtesy of John Anderson) data logger and camera logger, and he also estab- lished the “Bio-Logging Science” program at the University of Tokyo. Since 1990, he has conducted international ecological research of Lake Baikal in cooperation with colleagues from Russia, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland, and the United States. Dr. Miyazaki has published more than 270 English and 13 Japanese peer-reviewed papers, nine English and 51 Japanese books, and seven Eng lish and 109 Japanese reports. He also has given 316 presentations at national and inter- national conferences. 190 Miyazaki Seal Survey in Eurasian Waters in Collaboration with Russian Scientists Nobuyuki Miyazaki, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo, Japan E-mail: [email protected] I.
    [Show full text]
  • Behaviors of Grey Seals (<I>Halichoerus Grypus</I>)
    Tourism in Marine Environments, Vol. 15, No. 3–4, pp. 159-171 1544-273X/20 $60.00 + .00 Printed in the USA. All rights reserved. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3727/154427320X15945013137030 Copyright © 2020 Cognizant, LLC. E-ISSN 2169-0197 www.cognizantcommunication.com BEHAVIORS OF GREY SEALS (HALICHOERUS GRYPUS) ADDRESSED TOWARDS HUMAN SWIMMERS DURING EXPERIMENTAL OPEN WATER ENCOUNTERS OFF HELIGOLAND (GERMAN BIGHT, NORTH SEA) MICHAEL SCHEER Independent Scholar, Bremen, Germany Risks arising for humans during swim encounters with seals are poorly understood. This study was initiated to examine behaviors of unhabituated grey seals addressed towards humans during experi- mental, noncommercial seal-swim activities off Heligoland. In total, 26 in-water encounters were conducted. Behavioral classes and the number of seals simultaneously approaching swimmers were time sampled. A set of risky and nonrisky interactive behaviors was continuously sampled. Seals spent approximately the same amount of time interacting with swimmers (53%) as they did ignoring them (47%). Seals displayed higher rates of nonrisky behaviors than risky ones, but risky behaviors occurred during 73% of all seal-swims. Seals remained ≤20 m near swimmers for 51% and ≤1 m for 13% of the time. A mean number of 0.65 and 0.18 seals approached swimmers per minute within a range of ≤20 m and ≤1 m, respectively. Behavioral classes, interactive behaviors, and the number of seals approaching ≤20 m did not vary significantly throughout seal-swims but the number of seals approaching ≤1 m moderately decreased. Due to high rates of risky behaviors, it is recommended to promote public awareness on site and to regulate seal-swims before commercial operations emerge.
    [Show full text]
  • The Conflict Between Grey Seals (Halichoerus Grypus) and the Baltic Coastal Fisheries - New Methods for the Assessment and Reduction of Catch Losses and Gear Damage
    The conflict between grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and the Baltic coastal fisheries - new methods for the assessment and reduction of catch losses and gear damage Cover picture: Grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) taking fish from a herring net. A four camera system with CamDisc Recorder and HelTel Player software was used. Photo S. Königson. September 2004. ISBN 91-85497-30-4 ISSN 0345-7524 Printed by LiU-Tryck, Linköping 2006 ABSTRACT There is a problematic interaction going on between grey seals and the small scale coastal fisheries in the Baltic. A large number of seals are by-caught and drowned each year, and the viability of the fishery is threatened by catch losses caused by the seals. Traditional mitigation methods are not sufficient, or have in some cases not been properly evaluated. Available methods of quantifying and analysing the catch losses are also insufficient. This thesis consists of three parts, each studying a different angle of this conflict. In the first part, new models for estimating catch losses are presented. In addition to the commonly used method of counting the number of damaged fish in the nets, the new models also allow for an estimation of the hidden losses. Hidden losses may be fish that are completely removed from nets without leaving any traces, fish that escape through holes in the net torn by the seals, or even fish that are scared away from the fishing gear. Such losses were found to be significant, and hence it is now clear that the traditional models seriously underestimate the total losses. The new models also allow for a deeper analysis of the interaction process.
    [Show full text]
  • Full Text in Pdf Format
    Vol. 16: 149–163, 2012 ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH Published online February 29 doi: 10.3354/esr00392 Endang Species Res Age estimation, growth and age-related mortality of Mediterranean monk seals Monachus monachus Sinéad Murphy1,*, Trevor R. Spradlin1,2, Beth Mackey1, Jill McVee3, Evgenia Androukaki4, Eleni Tounta4, Alexandros A. Karamanlidis4, Panagiotis Dendrinos4, Emily Joseph4, Christina Lockyer5, Jason Matthiopoulos1 1Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK 2NOAA Fisheries Service/Office of Protected Resources, Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, USA 3Histology Department, Bute Medical School, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9TS, UK 4MOm/Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal, 18 Solomou Street, 106 82 Athens, Greece 5Age Dynamics, Huldbergs Allé 42, Kongens Lyngby, 2800, Denmark ABSTRACT: Mediterranean monk seals Monachus monachus are classified as Critically Endan- gered on the IUCN Red List, with <600 individuals split into 3 isolated sub-populations, the largest in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Canine teeth collected during the last 2 decades from 45 dead monk seals inhabiting Greek waters were processed for age estimation. Ages were best estimated by counting growth layer groups (GLGs) in the cementum adjacent to the root tip using un - processed longitudinal or transverse sections (360 µm thickness) observed under polarized light. Decalcified and stained thin sections (8 to 23 µm) of both cementum and dentine were inferior to unprocessed sections. From analysing patterns of deposition in the cementum of known age- maturity class individuals, one GLG was found to be deposited annually in M.
    [Show full text]
  • Petition to List Iliamna Lake Seal, a Distinct Population Segment of Pacific Harbor Seal (Phoca Vitulina Richardsi) Under the Endangered Species Act
    BEFORE THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE PETITION TO LIST ILIAMNA LAKE SEAL, A DISTINCT POPULATION SEGMENT OF PACIFIC HARBOR SEAL (PHOCA VITULINA RICHARDSI) UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY NOVEMBER 19, 2012 Notice of Petition Rebecca M. Blank Acting Secretary of Commerce U.S. Department of Commerce 1401 Constitution Ave, NW Washington, D.C. 20230 Email: [email protected] Samuel Rauch Assistant Administrator for Fisheries 1315 East West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 Ph: (301) 427-8000 Email: [email protected] PETITIONER The Center for Biological Diversity PO Box 100599 Anchorage, AK 99510-0599 Ph: (907) 274-1110 Fax: (907) 258-6177 Date: November 19, 2012 Kiersten Lippmann Center for Biological Diversity Pursuant to Section 4(b) of the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”), 16 § 1533(b), Section 553(3) of the Administrative Procedures Act, 5 U.S.C. § 533(e), and 50 C.F.R. § 424.14(a), the Center for Biological Diversity (“Petitioner”) hereby petitions the Secretary of Commerce and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”), through the National Marine Fisheries Service (“NMFS” or “NOAA Fisheries”), to list the Iliamna Lake seal as a threatened or endangered species and to designate critical habitat to ensure its survival and recovery. The Center for Biological Diversity (“Center”) is a non-profit, public interest environmental organization dedicated to the protection of native species and their habitats through science, policy, and environmental law. The Center has approximately 40,000 members, and over 474,000 members and online activists throughout the United States and internationally. The Center and its members are concerned with the conservation of endangered species, including seal species, and the effective implementation of the ESA.
    [Show full text]
  • Pacific Walrus (Odobenus Rosmaurs Divergens) As a Threatened Or Endangered Species Under the Endangered Species Act
    BEFORE THE SECRETARY OF INTERIOR PETITION TO LIST THE PACIFIC WALRUS (ODOBENUS ROSMAURS DIVERGENS) AS A THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT © BILL HICKEY, USFWS CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY FEBRUARY 7, 2008 Notice of Petition____________________________________________________ Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington. D.C. 20240 Tom Melius, Regional Director U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Alaska Regional Office 1011 East Tudor Road Anchorage, Alaska 99503 PETITIONER The Center for Biological Diversity 1095 Market Street, Suite 511 San Francisco, CA 94103 ph: (415) 436-9682 ext 301 fax: (415) 436-9683 __________________________ Date: this 7th day of February, 2008 Shaye Wolf, Ph.D. Kassie Siegel Brendan Cummings Center for Biological Diversity Pursuant to Section 4(b) of the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”), 16 U.S.C. §1533(b), Section 553(3) of the Administrative Procedures Act, 5 U.S.C. § 553(e), and 50 C.F.R. § 424.14(a), the Center for Biological Diversity hereby petitions the Secretary of the Interior, through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (“USFWS”), to list the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) as a threatened or endangered species and to designate critical habitat to ensure its survival and recovery. The Center for Biological Diversity works through science, law, and policy to secure a future for all species, great or small, hovering on the brink of extinction. The Center has over 40,000 members throughout Alaska and the United States. The Center and its members are concerned with the conservation of endangered species, including the Pacific walrus, and the effective implementation of the ESA.
    [Show full text]
  • Morphometric Measurements and Body Condition of Healthy and Starveling Steller Sea Lion Pups (Eumetopias Jubatus)
    Aquatic Mammals 2000, 26.2, 151–157 Morphometric measurements and body condition of healthy and starveling Steller sea lion pups (Eumetopias jubatus) Andrew W. Trites1* and Remco A. H. Jonker1,2 1Marine Mammal Research Unit, Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia, 2204 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4 2Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands Abstract Introduction The thickness and weight of skin, blubber, and There is considerable interest in applying simple body core were measured from 12 dead Steller sea methods to assess the general health of individual lion pups (Eumetopias jubatus). These necropsied marine mammals. In the case of pinnipeds, there are pups represented a wide range of body sizes and generally two approaches. The first measures the conditions (small to large, and fat to no-fat), and thickness of the blubber layer or the amount of were chosen to compare the relative body con- body fat, and is premised on the idea that a fat ditions of healthy and starved pups. Seven of the animal is healthy (e.g., Gales & Burton, 1987; Ryg pups lacked blubber and were significantly lighter et al., 1990a; Castellini et al., 1993, Renouf et al., for a given length compared to the five that had 1993; Gales et al., 1994; Arnould, 1995; Jonker & fat at their time of death. Volume exceeded mass Trites, unpublished data). The second approach by a factor of 1.3% with density averaging uses a standardized growth curve to determine how 0.987 g cm"3. Skin and blubber were not uniformly heavy an individual should be, based on its thick over the body surface.
    [Show full text]
  • On the State of Conservation of the UNESCO World Heritage Property Lake Baikal (Russian Federation, No. 754) in 2014 1. Response
    On the State of Conservation of the UNESCO World Heritage Property Lake Baikal (Russian Federation, No. 754) in 2014 1. Response of the Russian Federation with regard to Resolution No. 37 СОМ 7В.22 adopted by the World Heritage Committee. Concerning the activities of Baikalsk Paper and Pulp Mill Resolution of the RF Government related to the termination of recurring operations at Baikalsk Paper and Pulp Mill (hereinafter referred to as “BPPM”) is mainly caused by the intention to eliminate the negative impact of environmentally unsound production to a unique ecosystem of Lake Baikal and necessity of the Russian Federation to perform its obligations related to Lake Baikal conservation as UNESCO World Heritage property. Issues related to legislative and regulatory support are reflected in the Federal Law “On the Protection of Lake Baikal” and Resolution of the RF Government No. 643 “On Approval of the List of Activities Prohibited in the Central Ecological Zone of Lake Baikal Natural Area” (hereinafter referred to as “Resolution No. 643”, “List”) as of August 30, 2001 adopted according to the law specified prohibitions and restrictions of business activities to be taken into account when developing the plan for economy modernization of Baikalsk one-factory town. The RF Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has made arrangements to evaluate the possibility to exclude separate business activities from the List and subsequent to the results of this work the Government of the Russian Federation adopted its Resolution No. 159 as of February 28, 2014 “On Introducing Changes in the List of Activities Prohibited in the Central Ecological Zone of Lake Baikal Natural Area”.
    [Show full text]