How climate change affects distribution of cetaceans in the Mediterranean

Climate change and its effect on the distribution of species is one of the main challenges for conservation planning. 

Modelling results showed that the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), the bottlenose dolphin (Turopsis truncatus) and the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) are most likely to suffer from a reduction in suitable habitat, with fin whales and bottlenose dolphins being particularly vulnerable.

For the striped dolphin, however, a loss in suitable habitat could be compensated by the possibility of colonising other areas.

D’Amen, M., Fortuna, C. M., Holcer, D., Panigada, S., Bonora, N., & Lauriano, G. (2024). Climate change and cetacean habitat suitability in the mediterranean sea: A challenge for marine strategy framework directive D1C4, D1C5 criteria. Animal Conservation, n/a https://10.1111/acv.13002