An Introduction to the Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter...

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An Introduction to the Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter Project Sarah Espinosa UCSC Graduate Student Elkhorn Slough Symposium January 24, 2017 Tim Tinker, Kerstin Wasson Michelle Staedler, Jess Fujii, Teri Nicholson, Joe Tomoleoni, Ron Eby and Robert Scoles

Transcript of An Introduction to the Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter...

Page 1: An Introduction to the Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter Projectlibrary.elkhornslough.org/research/symposium/14_Espinosa_Otter.pdfSea Otter Number 3-146 3-183 3-434 3-520 3-568 6-486 386 Introduction

An Introduction to the

Elkhorn Slough

Sea Otter Project

Sarah Espinosa

UCSC Graduate Student

Elkhorn Slough Symposium

January 24, 2017

Tim Tinker, Kerstin Wasson

Michelle Staedler, Jess Fujii, Teri Nicholson, Joe Tomoleoni, Ron Eby and Robert Scoles

Page 2: An Introduction to the Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter Projectlibrary.elkhornslough.org/research/symposium/14_Espinosa_Otter.pdfSea Otter Number 3-146 3-183 3-434 3-520 3-568 6-486 386 Introduction

Thanks!

ESNERR

Ron Eby, Robert Scoles, Dave Feliz, Kerstin Wasson

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Michelle Staedler, Jess Fujii, Teri Nicholson and all of the interns and volunteers!

USGS/UCSC

Joe Tomoleoni, Gena Bentall, Sophia Lyon, Tim Tinker, UCSC Tinker-Estes Lab

Page 3: An Introduction to the Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter Projectlibrary.elkhornslough.org/research/symposium/14_Espinosa_Otter.pdfSea Otter Number 3-146 3-183 3-434 3-520 3-568 6-486 386 Introduction

• Habitat Use (Tim Tinker)

• Population status (Michelle Staedler)

• Contaminate analysis (Chayo Fuentes)

• Ecosystem effects (Brent Hughes)

Purpose

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results Summary

Page 4: An Introduction to the Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter Projectlibrary.elkhornslough.org/research/symposium/14_Espinosa_Otter.pdfSea Otter Number 3-146 3-183 3-434 3-520 3-568 6-486 386 Introduction

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results Summary

Female and Pup Survival

Page 5: An Introduction to the Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter Projectlibrary.elkhornslough.org/research/symposium/14_Espinosa_Otter.pdfSea Otter Number 3-146 3-183 3-434 3-520 3-568 6-486 386 Introduction

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results: Surveys Summary

Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter Population

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Population Trends, Elkhorn Slough

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Pups

Start of Project

Page 6: An Introduction to the Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter Projectlibrary.elkhornslough.org/research/symposium/14_Espinosa_Otter.pdfSea Otter Number 3-146 3-183 3-434 3-520 3-568 6-486 386 Introduction

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results: Surveys Summary

Elkhorn Slough AbundanceAverages: 99 Individuals, 7 large pups and 5 small pups = 111 total

Page 7: An Introduction to the Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter Projectlibrary.elkhornslough.org/research/symposium/14_Espinosa_Otter.pdfSea Otter Number 3-146 3-183 3-434 3-520 3-568 6-486 386 Introduction

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results: Surveys Summary

Pup Abundance

Page 8: An Introduction to the Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter Projectlibrary.elkhornslough.org/research/symposium/14_Espinosa_Otter.pdfSea Otter Number 3-146 3-183 3-434 3-520 3-568 6-486 386 Introduction

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results: Surveys Summary

Year 1: Density Distributions

Page 9: An Introduction to the Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter Projectlibrary.elkhornslough.org/research/symposium/14_Espinosa_Otter.pdfSea Otter Number 3-146 3-183 3-434 3-520 3-568 6-486 386 Introduction

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results: Surveys Summary

Year 2: Density Distributions

Page 10: An Introduction to the Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter Projectlibrary.elkhornslough.org/research/symposium/14_Espinosa_Otter.pdfSea Otter Number 3-146 3-183 3-434 3-520 3-568 6-486 386 Introduction

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results: Surveys Summary

Year 3: Density Distributions

Page 11: An Introduction to the Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter Projectlibrary.elkhornslough.org/research/symposium/14_Espinosa_Otter.pdfSea Otter Number 3-146 3-183 3-434 3-520 3-568 6-486 386 Introduction

Sea Otter Number3-146

3-1833-4343-5203-5686-486386

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results: Re-sights Summary

Male Re-sights

Page 12: An Introduction to the Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter Projectlibrary.elkhornslough.org/research/symposium/14_Espinosa_Otter.pdfSea Otter Number 3-146 3-183 3-434 3-520 3-568 6-486 386 Introduction

Female Re-sights

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results: Re-sights Summary

Page 13: An Introduction to the Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter Projectlibrary.elkhornslough.org/research/symposium/14_Espinosa_Otter.pdfSea Otter Number 3-146 3-183 3-434 3-520 3-568 6-486 386 Introduction

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Clam Crab Mussel Worms

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Macoma Clam

Littleneck Clam

Softshell Clam

Razor Clam

Jackknife Clam

Rough Piddock

Gaper Clam

Washington Clam

Dungeness Crab

Green Crab

Kelp Crab

Rock Crab

Cancer Crab

Shore Crab

California Mussel

Mussel

Fatinnkeeper Worm

Crabs (50% ID to species)

Mussels (80% ID to species)

Worms (90% ID to species)

Clams (60% ID to species)Diet Composition

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results Summary

Page 14: An Introduction to the Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter Projectlibrary.elkhornslough.org/research/symposium/14_Espinosa_Otter.pdfSea Otter Number 3-146 3-183 3-434 3-520 3-568 6-486 386 Introduction

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results Summary

Elkhorn Slough Abundance

Averages: 99 Individuals, 7 large pups and 5 small = 111 total