Variability of Cetacean Distribution and Habitat Selection in the Alaskan Arctic, Autumn 1982-91

Ten years (1982-91) of autumn sighting data from aerial surveys offshore northern Alaska were analyzed to investigate variability in cetacean distribution and habitat selection. Habitat selection indices were calculated for bowhead, white, and gray whales in heavy, moderate, and light ice conditions; and for high, moderate, and low transport (inflow) conditions at Bering Strait. Bowhead whales selected shallow inner-shelf waters during moderate...