CASE STUDIES

Question 1

Life Histories Case Study

Answer 1

Boyd et al. (2010)

Showed how reproductive traits (e.g. delayed implantation in pinnipeds, long lactation in odontocetes) influence population growth and conservation needs.

Question 2

Diving Adaptions Case Study

Answer 2

Ponganis (2011)

Highlighted extreme oxygen storage and dive responses in deep divers like elephant seals, helping them tolerate hypoxia and pressure during extended dives.

Question 3

Migration Ecology Case Study

Answer 3

Whitehead (2002)

Documented global sperm whale migration routes, linking them to feeding and breeding, and emphasised how ecological drivers shape long-range movements.

Question 4

Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) & Habitat Use Case Study

Answer 4

Embling et al. (2010)

Used CPODs to detect seasonal presence of harbour porpoises in UK waters, revealing habitat hotspots and supporting spatial MPA design.

Question 5

Cultural Transmission Case Study

Answer 5

Connor et al. (2000)

Described tool use and male alliance formation in bottlenose dolphins, showing how social structure shapes foraging specialisations and cultural traits.

Question 6

Diving and Foraging Case Study

Answer 6

Kooyman (1989)

Showed how diving capacity and oxygen limitations influence foraging strategies in marine mammals, distinguishing ecological niches of shallow and deep divers.

Question 7

MPA for Mobile Species Case Study

Answer 7

Hooker et al. (2011)

Proposed dynamic, networked MPA systems informed by telemetry, to better protect wide-ranging species like cetaceans and pelagic predators.

Question 8

Bycatch Case Study

Answer 8

Read et al. (2006)

Reviewed the global scale of marine mammal bycatch, identifying key gear types and stressing the urgent need for effective mitigation and enforcement.

Question 9

Telemetry in Conservation Case Study

Answer 9

Hussey et al. (2015)

Demonstrated how satellite tagging reveals movements of species like sharks and turtles, helping define critical habitats and inform MPA placement.

Question 10

Whaling Impacts Case Study

Answer 10

Clapham & Baker (2002)

Summarised how modern commercial whaling caused catastrophic population declines in great whales, prompting international moratoria and slow recoveries.

Question 11

Cetacean hunting & Culture Case Study

Answer 11

Ford et al. (2000)

Contrasted resident and transient killer whale ecotypes, linking differences in diet, social structure, and behaviour to long-term cultural evolution.

Question 12

Renewables & Marine Vertebrates Case Study

Answer 12

Erbe et al. (2019)

Reviewed how underwater noise from ships and offshore wind farms affects marine mammals through stress, masking, and behavioural changes, recommending mitigation in EIAs.