International Journal of Molecular Zoology 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 111-127 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmz 120 of changes in migration timing. They established trend models for arrival and departure times and linked these to environmental variables such as sea surface temperature (SST). The results showed that between 2002 and 2017, the arrival time during the northward migration advanced by approximately 1.4 days per year, while the departure time during the southward migration showed no significant change (Figure 3). Furthermore, SST was identified as the most significant factor affecting the acoustic presence of humpback whales; for each 1 °C increase in SST, the acoustic presence of whales decreased by approximately 4.4 hours per day. During the peak whale season, the average SST in the Perth Canyon was 19 °C. The analysis also indicated that humpback whales seem to leave the Antarctic feeding grounds at the end of the austral summer, as sea ice concentration increases and SST decreases. Figure 3 Scatter plots of humpback whale arrival (n = 10) and departure (n = 7) dates for the years of available passive acoustic monitoring data in the Perth Canyon. A linear trendline has been fitted; regression statistics (R2, F, and p-value) are noted beneath each plot (Adopted from Gosby et al., 2022) Image caption: The figure shows the scatter plots and linear trendlines of humpback whale arrival (A25) and departure (D25) dates in the Perth Canyon from 2003 to 2017. The figure reveals that the arrival time has gradually advanced from mid-June to late May, advancing by approximately 1.4 days per year. The departure time, however, is less stable, showing greater annual variability without a significant overall trend. The linear regression analysis in the figure further validates the study's findings, indicating that the arrival time during the northward migration has significantly advanced, while the departure time during the southward migration remains relatively unchanged. These results highlight the impact of environmental changes on humpback whale migration behavior (Adapted from Gosby et al., 2022) These findings suggest that the earlier arrival of humpback whales may be a response to environmental changes, particularly changes in SST. As global climate change continues, the migration patterns of humpback whales may further alter, affecting their adaptation to feeding and breeding grounds. Long-term passive acoustic monitoring provides valuable data for understanding humpback whale migration patterns. Future research should continue to monitor these trends and further investigate the potential impacts of climate change on humpback whale populations. 8 Impact of Climate Change on Migratory Patterns 8.1 Shifts in timing and routes Climate change has significantly influenced the timing and routes of animal migration. For instance, studies have shown that migratory birds are adjusting their migration schedules in response to changing climatic conditions. In some cases, birds are migrating later in both spring and autumn, which contrasts with the earlier migration trends observed in other studies (Mondain‐Monval et al., 2021). This shift in timing is attributed to changes in weather conditions, such as increased temperatures and headwinds, which affect the birds' migration patterns. Additionally,
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