How Might Climate Change Affect the Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Dugongs and Manatees?

Abstract

Climate changeClimate change stressors are already affecting the subtropical and tropical coastal, estuarine, and riverine habitatsHabitats, of sirenians with consequential changes to their ethology and behavioral ecology. Climate changeClimate change is causing temperature increases, sea level riseSea level rise, changes in water chemistryWater chemistry and qualityWater quality, increase in the intensity and nature of extreme weather eventsExtreme weather events, and changes in rainfall patternsPatterns,. These stressors are predicted to increase over the coming decades and will be exacerbated by co-stressorsCo-stressor including harmful algal bloomsHarmful Algal Blooms (HABS), damDams construction, hardeningCoastal hardening coastlines, phasing out coastal power plantsPower plant, land clearingLand clearing, and human food insecurityHuman food insecurity. The cumulative impactsCumulative impacts on all sirenian habitatsHabitats, will be locally variable but changes in habitatHabitats, extent and continuity are likely to be widespread. Important features of some key manateeManatee habitatsHabitats, such as warm water refugesRefuge (sanctuary), freshwater sources, and navigable migration routesMigration routes are expected to be reduced or lost. ForagingForaging and movement behaviorsMovement behavior of all species will change in response to alterations in community composition of feedingFeeding habitatsHabitats,, and the temporary lossLoss, of such habitatsHabitats, resulting from the increased intensity of extreme events, including the expansion of polar vorticesPolar vortex, marine heatwavesMarine heatwave, tropical cyclonesCyclones, floodsFlood, droughtsDrought, and harmful algal bloomsHarmful Algal Blooms (HABS). These extreme events are expected to increase sirenian mortalityMortality and reduce fecundityFecundity, local population sizePopulation size, and genetic diversityGenetic diversity. The locations of essential resources and the cues triggering the timingMovement timing of movements are expected to alter rapidly as the climate changesClimate change. Some coastal habitatsCoastal habitats may become unsuitable for manateesManatee because of the salinizationSalinization of sources of fresh water forFreshwater drinking drinkingFreshwater drinking. The capacity of sirenians to alter their behavior in response to climate changeClimate change will be essential to their survival.

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