Ice decline threatens Adélie penguins’ annual cycle

2023-11-07 12:42:06

Adelie penguins on seasonal sea ice in Antarctica – ANNIE SCHMIDT/POINT BLUE

MADRID, 7 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –

A pioneering study highlights the fundamental role played Antarctic seasonal sea ice in the annual molting periods of Adelie penguins.

Despite the relatively large amount of sea ice still available in the Ross Sea, researchers have discovered a possible bottleneck in the penguins’ annual cyclewhich could worsen as the climate continues to change.

Unlike most penguin species, most Adelie penguins are believed to carry out their annual molt (when they replace all their feathers to prepare for the long winter) on sea icefar from breeding colonies, making this period difficult for researchers to study.

This study, published in ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences’ and led by Dr. Annie Schmidt of Point Blue Conservation Science, used data from geolocated dive recorders deployed year-round on 195 adult penguins in the Ross Sea between 2017 and 2019. The resulting data allows researchers to identify prolonged gaps in diving activity after reproduction, indicating the molting period.

The location data pointed to two key molting areas. Satellite remote sensing data revealed that sea ice concentration during the molting period in the molting areas was notably low over the past five years, and has decreased in the primary molting area since 1980.

Another significant finding was the positive correlation between the annual rates of return of penguins to breeding colonies and the concentration of sea ice in molting areas over the last 20 years; Between 2.4% and 4.8% fewer penguins returned for every 10% decrease in sea ice concentration in molting areas.

This highlights the potential challenges that penguins could face in light of changing climate conditions.

“Our research sheds light on a facet of the Adelie penguin’s life that has until now been underestimated,” says Schmidt. “Understanding the intricate relationships between the environment, particularly sea ice, and all phases of the annual cycle of the penguin.” penguin is crucial, especially in the context of rapid climate change.”

The research not only draws attention to the survival strategies of Adelie penguins, but also highlights the broader implications of climate change on Antarctic ecosystems.