Environmental drivers of beluga summer distribution in the Mackenzie Estuary

Using 2019 aerial photos of beluga whales together with remotely sensed environmental variables, we modelled beluga habitat selection.

Belugas selected warm water temperatures and high turbidity (suspended sediment) levels that corresponded to the Mackenzie River mouths and unprotected coastlines.

In parallel, a comparison between current and past beluga distribution in the Mackenzie Estuary revealed that the selection of these habitat features resulted in a general shift of beluga presence towards the coasts.

The distributional shift may be explained by current environmental change impacts such as increasing freshwater flow and accelerating coastal erosion in coastal areas selected.

Monitoring how preferred habitats will evolve with climate change will provide indication of potential future shifts in beluga habitat selection.

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