AIM: Species distribution modelling is a useful tool for determining important habitats. By accounting for specific animal behaviour in the model, it is possible to identify finer‐scale patterns of habitat use. Together with spatially explicit data on anthropogenic activities, models can be used to assess human impacts and inform conservation management. This study used observations of breeding behaviour to identify fine‐scale breeding habitats of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), as well as potential overlap of these habitats with cumulative anthropogenic impacts. LOCATION: Eastern Tropical Atlantic, West Africa. METHODS: Maxent was used to model humpback distribution using pertinent environmental predictors and an integrated dataset of humpback whale occurrences filtered for breeding‐specific behaviours. In conjunction with multiple anthropogenic activities, a subsequent cumulative utilization and impact analysis assessed the degree of overlap between predicted breeding habitat and potential anthropogenic impacts. RESULTS: Greatest habitat suitability occurred in warm coastal waters of Gabon, and other highly suitable areas occurred off Equatorial Guinea (Bioko Island), Cameroon and Angola. Sea surface temperature and height contributed most to the model. Highest overlap between humpback whales and potential impacts from anthropogenic activities occurred off Gabon, Equatorial Guinea (Bioko Island), Cameroon and Angola. Impacts associated with oil and gas development (where oil and gas platforms serve as an indicator for industry activity) appeared to contribute most to potential cumulative impact. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Depth and sea surface temperature of predicted breeding habitats were consistent with previous studies. However, lesser known characteristics such as sea surface height and wind speed, resulting in potentially more sheltered areas for breeding whales, may also be important in delineating finer‐scale habitat suitability. Identified areas of high potential cumulative impact occurred within exclusive economic zones of multiple countries and likely represent the minimum level of impact to humpback whales in the region, highlighting the need for additional research and effective management throughout the area.

中文翻译：

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繁殖座头鲸栖息地的分布以及与东热带大西洋累积人为影响的重叠

目的：物种分布建模是确定重要栖息地的有用工具。通过考虑模型中的特定动物行为，可以确定栖息地使用的更精细模式。与人为活动的空间明确数据一起，模型可用于评估人类影响并为保护管理提供信息。该研究使用繁殖行为的观察来确定座头鲸（Megaptera novaeangliae）的精细繁殖栖息地，以及这些栖息地与累积人为影响的潜在重叠。位置：东热带大西洋，西非。方法：Maxent 用于使用相关环境预测因子和针对繁殖特定行为过滤的座头鲸事件的综合数据集来模拟座头鲸分布。结合多项人为活动，随后的累积利用和影响分析评估了预测的繁殖栖息地与潜在的人为影响之间的重叠程度。结果：最适宜的栖息地出现在加蓬温暖的沿海水域，其他高度适宜的区域出现在赤道几内亚（比奥科岛）、喀麦隆和安哥拉附近。海面温度和高度对模型的贡献最大。座头鲸与人为活动的潜在影响之间重叠最多的地区发生在加蓬、赤道几内亚（比奥科岛）、喀麦隆和安哥拉附近。与石油和天然气开发相关的影响（石油和天然气平台作为行业活动的指标）似乎对​​潜在的累积影响贡献最大。主要结论：预测的繁殖栖息地的深度和海面温度与先前的研究一致。然而，海面高度和风速等鲜为人知的特征可能会为繁殖鲸鱼提供更多的庇护区域，这对于描绘更精细的栖息地适宜性也很重要。已确定的高潜在累积影响区域发生在多个国家的专属经济区内，可能代表对该地区座头鲸的最低影响水平，突出表明需要在整个地区进行额外研究和有效管理。在描绘更精细的栖息地适宜性方面也可能很重要。已确定的高潜在累积影响区域发生在多个国家的专属经济区内，可能代表对该地区座头鲸的最低影响水平，突出表明需要在整个地区进行额外研究和有效管理。在描绘更精细的栖息地适宜性方面也可能很重要。已确定的高潜在累积影响区域发生在多个国家的专属经济区内，可能代表对该地区座头鲸的最低影响水平，突出表明需要在整个地区进行额外研究和有效管理。