Effects of spatial and temporal variation in marine productivity on energy acquisition in female southern elephant seals: This research focuses on the spatial relationships between foraging female southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) and the bio-physical features of the Southern Ocean. We are also collecting longitudinal data on the reproductive success of female elephant seals in relation to their foraging environment. All field studies are based at Macquarie Island, Australia. A more detailed description of the project can be viewed in the form of a poster [view project summary pdf file]

[view project description page for Antarctic Science Project 1171 (Australian Antarctic Division)]

the amount of time lactating female elephant seals spend in the Southern Ocean during the post-lactation foraging trip

using ultra-sound to estimate the amount of blubber accumulated while at sea

Life history parameters and foraging ecology during the transition of adolescent southern elephant seals to maturity (Iain C. Field): The Macquarie Island southern elephant seal population is at present in decline. The reasons for this decline, though first noted in the 1960s, are poorly understood. Recent populations studies have identified anomalies in the juvenile survival data that may be related to the decline. This study will look and the life history of these juvenile cohorts. Over this juvenile phase morphological and foraging behaviour changes will be studied and related to the survival models. A more detailed description of the project can be viewed here [view project description]

See also recent conference posters explaining aspects of my work (pdf format):

1. Size and condition of juvenile southern elephant seals in relation to survival
2. Spatial use of the Southern Ocean by juvenile southern elephant seals from Macquarie Island