Skip to content

Conservation

Antarctic penguins in trouble due to climate change

by Louise Murray 11 Apr 2011
Antarctic penguins in trouble due to climate change

Image Credit: Louise Murray. Adelie penguin colony on the West Antarctic peninsula.

Antarctic penguin numbers have more than halved since the 1980's, in tandem with their favourite food. Krill densities are down almost 80%, largely due to climate change reducing winter ice cover in this fast-warming region.

Wayne Trivelpiece, an Antarctic seabird specialist from the Southwest Fisheries Research Division in La Jolla, California has been studying the Adelie and Chinstrap penguins in the west Antarctic peninsula since 1976 and has visited the same colonies almost every year since, in a 35 year study. 'What is most surprising to me, is that such seemingly small changes in temperature can have such massive effects on the penguins, seals and whales that live in the Antarctic and depend on krill as a food source,' he said, 'Climate change is having a traumatic effect on penguin populations.

Both species of penguins thrived between the 1930's and the 1970's, but numbers started to fall in the eighties before a precipitous drop in the late 1980's, and are still declining. 'We can see a clear link between winter sea ice cover upon which krill depend and penguin populations. Krill need the ice to feed on algae that live on its under surface. No ice, and a year's generation of krill disappear,' he explained. Krill densities are down 80% in the area, and penguin youngsters are most at risk of starving. Thirty years ago 50% of fledglings would make it through to breeding age, now barely 10% do so. It is not just climate change that is making survival difficult for the penguins, though it is by far the most important contributor to their demise. Species that man almost extirpated in the last century such as fur seals have rebounded and now number 3-4 million. Krill feeding baleen whales - humpbacks and fin whales are also recovering and both the seals and whales compete with the penguins for food.

The krill fisheries harvest is also on the increase, from 51,000 tonnes in 2002, to over 200,000 tonnes in 2010. The fishery is probably peripheral to overall krill density for now, but that could change as the access to krill in this winter fishery is eased due decreasing sea ice. Omega-3 krill oil is hugely profitable and in increasing in demand as a dietary supplement, so fishing pressure is expected to increase. A fast growing krill fishery will further endanger this fragile ecosystem. The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on 11 April 2011.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping