Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus)  are the largest animals that have ever existed on Earth. Despite this, they feed exclusively on krill (Nyctiphanes australis) which are typically no larger than 2 cm. Thus, they must consume massive amounts of these tiny organisms to support the large energy requirements of their life history processes. Researchers are interested in understanding how predator-prey dynamics between blue whales and krill may shift with changing ocean conditions. Nicole Principe is a 2nd year PhD student in the Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna (GEMM) Lab at the Oregon State University Marine Mammal Institute, led by Dr. Leigh Torres. Her PhD work is part of the SAPPHIRE (Synthesis of Acoustics, Physiology, Prey, and Habitat in A Rapidly Changing Environment) Project and will focus on blue whales in the South Taranaki Bight in Aotearoa (New Zealand). This interdisciplinary work involves using oceanographic data, active acoustics for prey, drone imagery (i.e., photogrammetry), and hormone analysis to investigate the availability of krill and blue whale health and population resilience to climate change. 

Most blue whales, like other baleen whales, are migratory, meaning they move from cold-water feeding grounds to warmer waters for breeding. However, past research from the GEMM lab suggests that blue whales in the South Taranaki Bight do not migrate. Instead, blue whale song and acoustic calls can be heard year-round in this area, making it an important foraging and breeding ground for this population. Intermittent upwelling makes this a highly productive feeding area for blue whales, where high levels of primary productivity support large aggregations of krill. Therefore, these animals seem to stay for long periods of time, potentially year-round, to exploit these prey resources.

Part of Nicole’s work will build on previous work conducted by the GEMM lab by investigating the co-response of marine prey and predator to marine heatwaves. Marine heatwaves are a period of unusually high water temperatures and can have significant effects on ecosystems. As climate change continues, marine heatwaves may become more severe and prolonged. By understanding how krill and subsequently, blue whales respond to these events, researchers can then predict how populations may be impacted in the future, ultimately informing conservation measures. 

Nicole also completed a master’s degree studying bottlenose dolphin distribution in freshwater rivers in South Carolina, and spent a year and a half working for a marine mammal stranding network. Tune into the podcast this Sunday, November 9th to learn more about all of these incredible experiences!

Written by: Taylor Azizeh

Eastern Oregon consists of a multitude of landscapes such as high desert plains, rugged mountain ranges, and sweeping sagebrush steppe. Volcanic plateaus, deep river canyons, and wide valleys carved by ancient floods create a sense of space and solitude. However, despite the arid climate, much of Oregon’s agriculture thrives here. Supported by rivers and aquifers, farmers produce wheat, alfalfa, and hay and ranchers raise cattle and other livestock. Small farming and ranching communities anchor the area, where traditional agricultural practices blend with newer practices of sustainable land management and dryland farming. 

But what happens when the rich agricultural landscape meets the rugged and wild natural ecosystems of eastern Oregon? Fourth year PhD student Lara Mengak aims to answer some of these questions. Her dissertation work is trying to understand what social and ecological threats impact ranchers in Oregon. What kinds of conflicts exist between natural predators, such as wolves, and livestock? What are the best ways to mitigate these conflicts? How do we manage landscapes to support wildlife conservation and agriculture? How do these things vary as a function of climate change or drought?

Lara’s work is unique in that she aims to blend social science and field-based ecological research to develop a deep understanding of human-wildlife conflict in eastern Oregon. Her surveys have brought in over 700 responses from ranchers across the entire state. In addition to these types of data, she spent two field seasons collecting data in the Starkey Experimental Forest and Range. She uses vegetation data to understand what types of plants are available to grazing animals like elk and livestock, and she also collected scat to use DNA metabarcoding to identify exactly which plant species are being grazed. She describes DNA metabarcoding, a technique that uses short, standardized sections of DNA, called barcodes, to identify species, similar to how a supermarket scanner uses barcodes to identify items in the store.

Lara had a variety of experience before starting her doctoral degree at Oregon State University. Originally from Georgia, she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia. She received her master’s degree at Virginia Tech in 2018, and has also worked as a research technician at various field sites across the country. She spent two years in Anchorage, Alaska, working for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game as a Wildlife Biologist. We are so excited to talk to Lara about her past work experiences and her current social and ecological research on October 12th at 7pm on KBVR 88.7, and afterwards, find her episode anywhere you listen to podcasts!

Written by: Taylor Azizeh