Human impacts on dolphins: Physiological effects and conservation
In this chapter, we describe aspects of the growing pressure on coastal and inshore common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus, hereafter referred to as dolphins) as human use of these marine environments increases. While the ultimate outcomes of many threats from humans have been well-documented, less attention has been given to the physiological mechanisms underlying these impacts. We address these physiological mechanisms by using bottlenose dolphins as the basis of discussion, as much is known about this species, and it is an important apex predator that serves as a sentinel species for coastal ecosystem health. For much of this chapter, we will draw upon information available from the dolphin community in Sarasota Bay, Florida, USA, that has been studied for more than 50 years. In some cases, the bottlenose dolphin may also be useful as a model for understanding or predicting impacts to less-studied cetacean species. We make comparisons as appropriate with other cetacean species to look at how anthropogenic disturbances, such as entanglement in fishing gear, boat strikes and disturbance, pollution, and climate disruption may affect the health, survival, and reproductive success.
