View source for Headlines:Emperor Penguin Colonies Face Breeding Setback Due to Sea Ice Loss in the Bellingshausen Sea

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''August 25, 2023.''
[[File:Emperor penguins.jpg|thumb|Emperor Penguin Colonies Face Breeding Setback Due to Sea Ice Loss in the Bellingshausen Sea]]
Abrupt declines in sea ice extent are impacting vital ecosystems and species relying on the ice for various life cycle stages. The emperor penguin, heavily reliant on stable sea ice for breeding, is a prominent example. In the Bellingshausen Sea, an important habitat for these penguins, early sea ice loss during 2022 has resulted in the abandonment of several breeding colonies.

Emperor penguins, recognizable symbols of Antarctica, confront the risk of population decline primarily due to climate change effects. Recent research indicates that if current warming trends persist, over 90% of emperor penguin colonies could face quasi-extinction by the close of this century. The species' survival is mainly tied to stable sea ice, essential for breeding, nesting, and fledging periods.

Five emperor penguin colonies situated in the central and eastern Bellingshausen Sea have been closely monitored. However, recent satellite imagery shows that four of these colonies experienced premature sea ice loss in November 2022, significantly impacting breeding success. Penguins that depend on the ice for their fledging period, as observed in previous years, suffered due to the early break-up of sea ice.

Verdi Inlet, Smyley Island, Bryant Coast, and Pfrogner Point colonies were adversely affected. Some colonies were abandoned entirely as the fast ice necessary for breeding vanished. Smyley Island's colony, previously stable, fractured into two groups with some penguins seen on grounded icebergs, but the fate of the chicks remains uncertain.

The drastic sea ice loss in 2022 deviated from historical patterns. The timing of colony abandonment aligned with this anomaly, signifying a direct link. Colony abandonment rates in other years were significantly lower, reinforcing the impact of the recent anomaly.

Among the colonies, Rothschild Island exhibited more promising outcomes, possibly due to its unique geography and icebergs providing stability. Despite being at the center of the negative sea ice anomaly, successful fledging was observed in this colony in December 2022.

This event underscores the vulnerability of emperor penguin colonies to climate-induced changes in sea ice patterns, indicating a potential threat to their long-term survival. These findings emphasize the critical need for continued monitoring and conservation efforts to safeguard the future of these iconic Antarctic inhabitants.

== See also ==

* [[Library:Record low 2022 Antarctic sea ice led to catastrophic breeding failure of emperor penguins (research)]]{{See also/penguin}}

== Sources ==

* https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-00927-x
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