Modelling short?term energetic costs of sonar disturbance to cetaceans using high?resolution foraging data

Anthropogenic noise is a pervasive and increasing source of disturbance to wildlife. Marine mammals exhibit behavioural physiological responses naval sonar other sound sources. The lost foraging opportunities elevated locomotor effort associated with likely carry energetic costs, which may lead population-level consequences. We modelled the costs using (a) empirical datasets cetacean feeding rates prey characteristics (b) allometry swimming performance metabolic rates. applied our model compare short-term (i.e. scale response; hours days) variety observed responses. Efficient foragers (e.g. baleen whales) incur greater relative cost for mild as compared most extreme response larger odontocetes beaked whales). Energetic are more sensitive than increased energy expenditure from effort. To up long-term effects (months years), future research should address individuals’ capacity compensate losses well thresholds demographic (survival, fecundity). discuss how correlate species’ pace life implications conservation planning. Synthesis applications. Current approaches towards understanding Population Consequences Disturbance (PCoD) often must rely on expert opinion due data deficiency. Our provides an method linking behaviour energetics, critical managers make informed decisions actions that affect marine mammal species. Furthermore, applicable forms disturbance, such vessel traffic or seismic exploration, scaling approach enables risk projections understudied ?