What information was found?
Conclusion
- Seals were more abundant on sandbanks distant to dyke due to space availability, differences in sandbank structure and distance to human activity.
- Seals at sandbanks close to dyke were disturbed by pedestrians. Separations were due to both environmental and maternal factor.
- Commotion ( = head up) was the most frequent behavioural response, probably due to lower level of energy costs during lactation period.
And now?
Future conservation needs to consider
- approach distance and human behaviour,
- disturbance perception and sensitivity in harbour seals, and
- physiological effect of disturbance on an individual and the population in the Wadden Sea.
Responsible for this page:
Director of undergraduate studies Biology
Last updated:
05/22/11