Data from: Genetic profiling links changing sea-ice to shifting beluga whale migration patterns

There is increasing concern over how Arctic fauna will adapt to climate
related changes in sea-ice. We used long-term sighting and genetic data on
beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in conjunction with multi-decadal
patterns of sea-ice in the Pacific Arctic to investigate the influence of
sea-ice on spring migration and summer residency patterns. Substantial
variations in sea-ice conditions were detected across seasons, years and
sub-regions, revealing ice–ocean dynamics more complex than Arctic-wide
trends suggest. This variation contrasted with a highly consistent pattern
of migration and residency by several populations, indicating that belugas
can accommodate widely varying sea-ice conditions to perpetuate philopatry
to coastal migration destinations. However, a number of anomalous
migration and residency events were detected and coincided with anomalous
ice years, and in one case with an increase in killer whale (Orcinus orca)
sightings and reported predation on beluga whales. The behavioural shifts
were likely driven by changing sea-ice and associated changes in resource
dispersion and predation risk. Continued reductions in sea-ice may result
in increased predation at key aggregation areas and shifts in beluga whale
behaviour with implications for population viability, ecosystem structure
and the subsistence cultures that rely on them.