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What the F-POD? Comparing the F-POD and C-POD for monitoring of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phococena).
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  • Nicole Todd,
  • Ailbhe Kavanagh,
  • Emer Rogan,
  • Mark Jessopp
Nicole Todd
University College Cork

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Ailbhe Kavanagh
Marine Institute
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Emer Rogan
University College
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Mark Jessopp
University College Cork
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Abstract

Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is a cost-effective method for monitoring cetacean populations compared to techniques such as aerial and ship-based surveys. The C-POD (Cetacean POrpoise Detector) has become an integral tool in monitoring programmes globally for over a decade, providing standardised metrics of occurrence that can be compared across time and space. However, the phasing out of C-PODs following development of the new F-POD (Full waveform capture Pod) with increased sensitivity, improved train detection, and reduced false positive rates, represents an important methodological change in data collection, particularly when being introduced into existing monitoring programmes. Here, we compare the performance of the C-POD with that of its successor, the F-POD, co-deployed in a field setting for 15 months, to monitor harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). While similar temporal trends in detections were found for both devices, the C-POD detected only 58% of the detection positive minutes (DPM), recorded by the F-POD. Differences in detection rates were not consistent through time making it difficult to apply a correction factor or directly compare results obtained from the two PODs. To test whether these differences in detection rates would have an effect on analyses of temporal patterns and environmental drivers of occurrence, generalised additive models (GAMs) were applied. No differences were found in seasonal patterns or the environmental correlates of porpoise occurrence (month, diel period, temperature, environmental noise, and tide). However, the C-POD failed to detect sufficient foraging buzzes to identify temporal patterns in foraging behaviour that were clearly shown by the F-POD. Our results suggest that the switch to F-PODs will have little effect on determining broad-scale seasonal patterns of occurrence, but may improve our understanding of fine-scale behaviours such as foraging. We highlight how care must be taken interpreting F-POD results as indicative of increased occurrence when used in time-series analysis.
23 Jan 2023Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
24 Jan 2023Submission Checks Completed
24 Jan 2023Assigned to Editor
01 Feb 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
03 Mar 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Mar 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
10 May 20231st Revision Received
12 May 2023Submission Checks Completed
12 May 2023Assigned to Editor
12 May 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 May 2023Editorial Decision: Accept