文摘
An individual, conceptual model of Pacific harbor seal foraging energetics was created in STELLA modeling software (© iSeeSystems). Efficiency of foraging on three species of prey was tested during varying levels of upwelling-driven coastal hypoxia. Increased hypoxia led to differentiation of prey benefits, suggesting switches in foraging tactics may occur during coastal hypoxia to maintain optimal foraging. This model suggests a mechanism by which coastal hypoxia may result in increased foraging efficiency for Pacific harbor seals due to prey habitat compression.