§16§§Pinnipeds are marine mammals that include eared seals, true seals, and walruses. This book presents detailed reviews on the ecology and conservation of 10 pinniped species along the coasts and islands in Latin America, from Mexico to Chile and Argentina. Topics covered include their population dynamics, trophic ecology, reproduction, and behavior. In addition, the book addresses major conservation issues regarding climate change, interaction with fisheries, ecotourism, and other human activities.§§ §04§Chapter 1 - Introduction - Pinnipeds in Latin America.- Chapter 2 - §04§behavior.- Chapter 11 - §02§Dr. Gisela Heckel studied Biology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and received her MSc and PhD in Coastal Oceanography from the Autonomous University of Baja California, Mexico. Her main research focuses are on ecology, conservation biology and natural resource management for marine mammals in connection with human activities. Beyond her academic career, since 1997, Dr. Heckel has also been involved in marine mammal stranding response in Baja California, which deals mostly with California sea lions and other pinnipeds. Since 2008, she has collaborated in research projects on the four pinniped species that occur along the coast and islands west of the Baja California peninsula. She is a former vice-president of the Mexican Marine Mammalogy Society, and later served as president (from 2006 to 2008). Since 2003 she has been a Professor at the Conservation Biology Department, Ensenada Center for Scientific Research and Graduate Education in Baja California, Mexico.
