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==Description==
==Description==


Cetaceans are a diverse group of marine mammals that are well-adapted to life in the water. They include whales, dolphins and porpoises. Cetaceans have streamlined bodies, which allow them to move efficiently through the water. They use flukes (tail fins) for propulsion. Despite being marine mammals, cetaceans are air-breathing creatures. They possess blowholes on the tops of their heads, which they use to surface and breath. It enables them to remain underwater for extended periods, varying depending on the species. Key features include their complete adaptation to aquatic life, frequently substantial size, and strictly carnivorous diet. There are over 80 recognized species of cetaceans, this includes the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale.


Cetaceans play crucial roles in marine ecosystems, influencing prey populations and maintaining the balance of marine food webs. Many cetacean species are migratory, traveling long distances between feeding and breeding grounds. Often cetacean species are highly social and live pods or schools. These groups can range in size from a few individuals to several hundred.


Cetaceans are a diverse group of marine mammals that are well-adapted to life in the water. They include whales, dolphins and porpoises. Cetaceans have streamlined bodies, which allow them to move efficiently through the water. They use flukes (tail fins) for propulsion. Despite being marine mammals, cetaceans are air-breathing creatures. They possess blowholes on the tops of their heads, which they use to surface and breath. It enables them to remain underwater for extended periods, varying depending on the species. Key features include their complete adaptation to aquatic life, frequently substantial size, and strictly carnivorous diet. There are over 80 recognized species of cetaceans, this includes the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale.  
'''Diet:''' Cetaceans exhibit a wide range of feeding behaviors and diets. Some species are filter feeders, consuming tiny plankton and small fish, while others are active hunters, capturing larger prey like fish and squid.


Cetaceans exhibit a wide range of feeding behaviors and diets. Some species are filter feeders, consuming tiny plankton and small fish, while others are active hunters, capturing larger prey like fish and squid. Cetaceans play crucial roles in marine ecosystems, influencing prey populations and maintaining the balance of marine food webs. Many cetacean species are migratory, traveling long distances between feeding and breeding grounds. Often cetacean species are highly social and live pods or schools. These groups can range in size from a few individuals to several hundred.  
'''Threats:''' Cetaceans have been the target of extensive hunting for their meat, blubber, and oil by commercial enterprises. Noise pollution from sources like shipping, oil drilling, and military activities can interfere with cetacean communication, navigation, and feeding. This can lead to stress and reduced reproductive success. Additionally overfishing of key prey species for cetaceans, can lead to food scarcity and overall population declines.


Cetaceans have been the target of extensive hunting for their meat, blubber, and oil by commercial enterprises. They therefor hold cultural and economic importance for human communities around the world.




Return to [[Categories and Layers#tab=Birds%20and%20mammals|Birds and Mammals]].
Return to [[Categories and Layers#tab=Birds%20and%20mammals|Birds and Mammals]].  
=North Sea=
=North Sea=


== Information ==
== Information ==
The Cetacean species in the North Sea are: Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), White-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), and Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus) are cetacean species found in the North Sea.


==Types==
==Types==

Revision as of 14:58, 10 October 2023

Cetacean
File:Layer Cetacean.png
Layer Info
Category Ecology
Sub-category Birds and mammals

Description

Cetaceans are a diverse group of marine mammals that are well-adapted to life in the water. They include whales, dolphins and porpoises. Cetaceans have streamlined bodies, which allow them to move efficiently through the water. They use flukes (tail fins) for propulsion. Despite being marine mammals, cetaceans are air-breathing creatures. They possess blowholes on the tops of their heads, which they use to surface and breath. It enables them to remain underwater for extended periods, varying depending on the species. Key features include their complete adaptation to aquatic life, frequently substantial size, and strictly carnivorous diet. There are over 80 recognized species of cetaceans, this includes the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale.

Cetaceans play crucial roles in marine ecosystems, influencing prey populations and maintaining the balance of marine food webs. Many cetacean species are migratory, traveling long distances between feeding and breeding grounds. Often cetacean species are highly social and live pods or schools. These groups can range in size from a few individuals to several hundred.

Diet: Cetaceans exhibit a wide range of feeding behaviors and diets. Some species are filter feeders, consuming tiny plankton and small fish, while others are active hunters, capturing larger prey like fish and squid.

Threats: Cetaceans have been the target of extensive hunting for their meat, blubber, and oil by commercial enterprises. Noise pollution from sources like shipping, oil drilling, and military activities can interfere with cetacean communication, navigation, and feeding. This can lead to stress and reduced reproductive success. Additionally overfishing of key prey species for cetaceans, can lead to food scarcity and overall population declines.


Return to Birds and Mammals.

Information

The Cetacean species in the North Sea are: Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), White-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), and Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus) are cetacean species found in the North Sea.

Types

  • Very Low Density
  • Low Density
  • Medium Density
  • High Density
  • Very High Density

Metadata

Data Source

Cetacean is a month-by-month, computer generated data layer following calculations made by the ecosystem simulation (EwE). For more information on how Ecopath-with-Ecosim (EwE) works, please visit our Wiki page or visit the official EwE website at https://ecopath.org.

For detailed information on how the simulation works for the North Sea Edition, we recommend further exploring our research publication called "Combining ecosystem modeling with serious gaming in support of transboundary maritime spatial planning".

Not applicable. This layer is not yet available in the MSP Challenge Baltic Sea Edition.

Information

Types

  • Extremely Low
  • Low
  • Medium
  • High
  • Extra High

Metadata

Data Source

Herring is a month-by-month, computer generated data layer following calculations made by the ecosystem simulation (EwE). For more information on how Ecopath-with-Ecosim (EwE) works, please visit our Wiki page or visit the official EwE website at https://ecopath.org.

For detailed information on how the simulation works for the Clyde Marine Region Edition, we recommend further exploring our research publication called "Combining ecosystem modeling with serious gaming in support of transboundary maritime spatial planning".

Not applicable. This layer is not yet available in the MSP Challenge Adriatic Sea Edition.

Information

Types

  • Very Low Density
  • Low Density
  • Medium Density
  • High Density
  • Very High Density

Metadata

Data Source

Retrieved from "https://knowledge.mspchallenge.info/index.php?title=Cetacean&oldid=5684"
This page was last edited on 10 October 2023, at 14:58. Content is available under GPLv3 unless otherwise noted.