@article{fdi:010089709,
  title = {{T}emporal changes in habitat use by dugongs in a spatially restricted coral reef environment},
  author = {{C}leguer, {C}. and {G}arrigue, {C}laire and {F}uentes, {M}mpb and {H}amann, {M}. and {P}ayri, {C}laude and {M}arsh, {H}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{C}ontext {T}he dynamic habitat use by dugongs ({D}ugong dugon) in small coral reef lagoon systems spatially limited by tides is not well understood and has hampered adaptive management.{A}ims {W}e investigated how dugongs locally used a high conservation value coral-reef lagoon system during different seasons and tides to support local management.{M}ethods {W}e conducted local-scale aerial surveys to document the seasonal and tidal changes in the distribution and number of dugongs over seagrass and non-seagrass coral reef habitats in a small lagoon in {N}ew {C}aledonia. {T}he surveys were conducted fortnightly over 18 months in different seasons and at different tides. {T}emperature loggers and existing local footage of dugong herding behaviour were used to study the habitat use and behaviour of the animals in the area.{K}ey results {M}ore dugongs were sighted in {C}ap {G}oulvain during the cool season than during the warm season. {A}s tides restricted access to the intertidal seagrass meadows and during the cool season, more dugongs were sighted outside the lagoon on the fore reef shelf outside the lagoon. {D}ugongs were resting in large aggregations during their use of this non-seagrass habitat.{C}onclusions {O}ur study emphasises the importance of non-seagrass habitats for dugongs in spatially restricted coral reef environments as well as the importance of considering outer lagoon habitats as key dugong management areas. {T}his study also adds evidence of behavioural thermoregulation in dugongs.{I}mplications {T}he development of dynamic management strategies is essential, especially where different habitats should be protected at different times of the year. {T}he dugong's ({D}ugong dugon) habitat use in small coral reef lagoon systems, constrained by tides, is poorly understood, hindering adaptive management. {T}hrough aerial surveys, we examined seasonal and tidal variations in dugong utilisation in a high conservation value coral reef lagoon. {T}his study reveals significant temporal variations in dugong habitat use, influenced by tides and seasons. {I}t underscores the importance of outer reef habitats devoid of seagrass for the species. {A}dditionally, it contributes evidence of behavioural thermoregulation in dugongs.{T}his article belongs to the {C}ollection {M}arine {M}ammals in the {P}acific.},
  keywords = {aerial survey ; conservation ; coral reefs ; dugong ; ecology ; habitat use ; marine mammal ; thermoregulation ; {NOUVELLE} {CALEDONIE} ; {PACIFIQUE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{P}acific {C}onservation {B}iology},
  volume = {30},
  numero = {2},
  pages = {{PC}23036 [ p.]},
  ISSN = {1038-2097},
  year = {2024},
  DOI = {10.1071/pc23036},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010089709},
}