Mariana Silva

PhD student

My PhD thesis investigates how natural and human-induced disturbances influence the energy balance of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in the Azores. Through a bioenergetic modelling framework, the project integrates integrating foraging and behavioural data with prey characteristics and disturbance exposure to quantify energetic requirements, assess the impacts of changes in prey quality and availability, and estimate energy expenditure using complementary methods such as respiration rates and acceleration data. The overarching goal is to identify critical thresholds of energetic tolerance and contribute to the development of sustainable conservation strategies, particularly in the context of whale-watching management.

Supervisors: Sergi <a href="/index.php/people/team/5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pérez-Jorge</a> ; Leslie New; João M. Gonçalves