Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The cumulative effects of human activities—such as fishing, shipping, and pollutant discharge—can have profound impacts on coastal marine ecosystems. Apex predators can serve as reliable indicators of ecosystem health due to their vulnerability to disturbances. This paper takes the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) along the northeastern Pacific coast of North America as a case study to analyze how the accumulation of human activities poses threats to the ecology of apex predators. The results indicate that food scarcity, vessel disturbance, and pollutant accumulation are the primary factors affecting the SRKW population; moreover, the cumulative nature of these stressors further exacerbates the burden on the ecosystem. By regulating fishing practices, reducing vessel noise, and controlling pollutant emissions, the adverse effects of human activities can be mitigated. This paper is expected to provide valuable insights for informing conservation strategies and guiding future development along more ecologically friendly trajectories for coastal ecosystems.
Source: Theoretical and Natural Science
Author: Chuyi Lin
Institution: Shanghai Ocean University
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4410899489