Linking acoustic activity of finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) to marine environmental variables through non-linear modeling based on passive acoustic monitoring
This study examined the relationships between acoustic activity of the finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) and marine environmental variables in Hadong, in the southern coast of Korea, using long-term passive acoustic monitoring. Acoustic data were collected with a hydrophone (F-POD) from July 8 to August 16 2023, and acoustic indices (DPM, DP10M, and click-based metrics) were integrated with in situ observations and model analysis environmental data. Generalized additive models indicated that chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen were the main predictors of acoustic activity whereas physical oceanographic variables (temperature, salinity, and sea surface height) had no significant effects. Chlorophyll-a showed a strong non-linear positive effect with finless porpoise activity increasing rapidly up to approximately 2 mg/m³ and then reaching a plateau. Dissolved oxygen exhibited a negative linear relationship, implying indirect ecological effects mediated by prey availability. In addition, current velocity was negatively related to click intensity. These results indicate that finless porpoise habitat use is more closely associated with productivity-related factors than with physical conditions. This research offers quantitative insights into prey-driven habitat selection, supporting the development of management and bycatch mitigation strategies.