Cetacean Energetic Budgets and Metabolism

Researchers have developed a variety of ways to estimate the energetic expenditure of free-swimming cetaceans, but each method has its benefits and drawbacks. This project compares a variety of these methods for a host of cetaceans species ranging in size from the harbor porpoise to the blue whale.

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Background

Whale species vary enormously in size, ecology, and behavior, making it difficult to quantify how much energy they expend in the wild. Recent advances in biologging, drone-based body measurements, and physiological research now allow scientists to collect higher-resolution data and make more sophisticated inferences than ever before. However, when these techniques are used in isolation – as is often the case in recent literature – they come with significant limitations. Focusing on a single method or species can restrict our understanding of basic biology and hinder broader comparative insights needed for effective conservation.

This project aims to overcome these gaps by integrating tag-derived movement and acceleration data, drone-based morphometrics, and physiological benchmarks to generate detailed, cross-validated estimates of energetic expenditure for roughly 18 species. By simultaneously applying thrust-based mechanics, breathing-rate analysis, and whole-body acceleration, the project will produce robust daily energy budgets that can be directly incorporated into Population Consequences of Disturbance (PCOD) models. Through this integrated, multi-method approach, the project is advancing species-wide energetic insights and improving our ability to assess how disturbances impact both individual whales and long-term population health.