Foraging Ecology and Contaminant Burdens of Ringed Seals (Pusa hispida) in the Central Canadian Arctic

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dc.contributor.advisorThiemann, Gregory
dc.contributor.authorRoss, Tyler Robert
dc.date.accessioned2020-05-11T12:53:17Z
dc.date.available2020-05-11T12:53:17Z
dc.date.copyright2019-12
dc.date.issued2020-05-11
dc.date.updated2020-05-11T12:53:17Z
dc.degree.disciplineBiology
dc.degree.levelMaster's
dc.degree.nameMSc - Master of Science
dc.description.abstractIncreasing temperatures have led to declines in the extent of Arctic sea ice. Due to their reliance on sea ice and central position within Arctic marine food webs, ringed seals (Pusa hispida) are particularly vulnerable to these climate-mediated changes. I sought to investigate factors affecting ringed seal foraging and contaminant burdens in the central Canadian Arctic. Specifically, I used three dietary estimation techniques to examine how seal diets differed in accordance with demographic and environmental variables. Contaminant concentrations in seal tissues were also assessed in relation to trophic position and climate indices. Diet analyses revealed intraspecific and temporal variation in ringed seal foraging. Changes in sea ice phenology also influenced ratios of stable isotopes. Contaminant concentrations exhibited similar demographic variation and differed in accordance with several environmental variables. Ongoing monitoring of ringed seals is important, as climate-mediated shifts in prey composition and contaminants may be indicators of broader ecological changes.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10315/37463
dc.languageen
dc.rightsAuthor owns copyright, except where explicitly noted. Please contact the author directly with licensing requests.
dc.subjectBiology
dc.subject.keywordsRinged Seal
dc.subject.keywordsPusa hispida
dc.subject.keywordsPhoca hispida
dc.subject.keywordsArctic
dc.subject.keywordsForaging Ecology
dc.subject.keywordsFatty Acids
dc.subject.keywordsStable Isotopes
dc.subject.keywordsContaminants
dc.subject.keywordsGulf of Boothia
dc.titleForaging Ecology and Contaminant Burdens of Ringed Seals (Pusa hispida) in the Central Canadian Arctic
dc.typeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation

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