{
  "abstract": "Global climate change and anthropogenic stressors, such as noise and fisheries, are known to affect the spatial and temporal distribution of organisms in oceans, including the largest and most mobile species, such as cetaceans. However, there is limited understanding of how populations may be affected by future climatic conditions. Sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus are a cosmopolitan, sexually segregated species. Over the past 2 decades, multiple surveys have been conducted in the southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO) to assess the spatial distribution of cetaceans, including sperm whales. Using ensemble ecological niche modelling, we investigated current habitat suitability for sperm whales, incorporating multiple data sources across an area spanning ~30° of latitude. Data were also used to forecast habitat suitability in relation to multiple Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) climate scenarios (optimistic: SSP1-2.6; intermediate: SSP2-4.5; pessimistic: SSP5-8.5). Slope was identified as the most influential environmental variable for habitat suitability (26 %), highlighting topographical features such as shelf edges and seamounts. All climatic scenarios showed a decrease in suitable habitat (SSP1-2.6: -40%; SSP2-4.5: -37%; SSP5-8.5: -20 %). However, potential 'long-term core habitat' for sperm whales in the SWIO was identified based on areas of high habitat suitability, with the northern edges of the Mascarene Plateau, northwest of Madagascar and around oceanic islands all emerging as key areas. Our study highlights the value of using multiple data sources for presence-only habitat suitability modelling tools and to inform targeted and long-term research and conservation efforts.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 17,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Alexander Connor Lomas"
    },
    {
      "name": "Matthew J Witt"
    },
    {
      "name": "Thomas Webber"
    },
    {
      "name": "Franceso Garzon"
    },
    {
      "name": "Violaine Dulau-Drouot"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jeremy J Kiszka"
    },
    {
      "name": "Sophie Laran"
    },
    {
      "name": "Tim P Lewis"
    },
    {
      "name": "Sheena Talma"
    },
    {
      "name": "Shaama Sandooyea"
    },
    {
      "name": "Laura Meller"
    },
    {
      "name": "Salvatore Cerchio"
    },
    {
      "name": "Adrian Fajeau"
    },
    {
      "name": "Anjara Saloma"
    },
    {
      "name": "Svetlana Barteneva-Vitry"
    },
    {
      "name": "Ella Vicky Nancy"
    },
    {
      "name": "Kirsten Freja Young"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9pf6jpby0kyff.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3354/esr01538",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "9pf6jpby0kyff",
  "issns": [
    "1863-5407",
    "1613-4796"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://hal.science/hal-05848678v1",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "hal",
      "0.sde"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2302|Species Distribution and Climate Change"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7171970876",
  "pdf_url": "https://hal.science/hal-05848678/document",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-08",
  "publisher": "Oldendorf/Luhe : Inter-Research",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9pf6jpby0kyff.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-03T12:20:17Z",
      "native_id": "hal-05848678",
      "source": "hal",
      "url": "https://hal.science/hal-05848678v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "earth",
      "origin": "hal:0.sde",
      "subfield": "environmental-science"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Modelling present and future sperm whale habitat in the southwest Indian Ocean",
  "title_text": "Modelling present and future sperm whale habitat in the southwest Indian Ocean",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-04T12:20:48Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9pf6jpby0kyff",
  "venue": "Endangered Species Research",
  "versions": []
}