Warming Antarctica Brings Changes to Penguins Breeding Cycles

By Kaitlyn Buscone

Warming in the Western Antarctica Peninsula
(Image 1)

Adelie and Chinstrap Penguins
(Image 2)

Antarctica is the home to many different species of penguins. Recent climate changes though are threatening the breeding cycles of three of these dominant penguin species, the Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins. Every year these three species migrate to the West Antarctic Peninsula to breed. However, because of global warming, the peninsula is disappearing and the warmer temperatures are causing the penguins to have to migrate and begin the breeding cycle much earlier than ever before. The climate change is having a significant impact on both the chinstrap and the Adelie penguins, who need the icy waters and seem to be unable to adapt to their warming surroundings.  Their populations are declining in numbers. In contrast to this, the gentoo penguin’s numbers are actually increasing because they prefer areas with less sea ice and adapt much more easily to the changes taking place around them. The gentoo’s are showing up to breeding grounds much earlier than the other two species and taking over the nesting areas before the others arrive.  This issue of directly relates to our course because it is yet another example of how global warming is causing significant climate issues which are affecting the environments of many species. In this case, the decline in the chinstrap and Adelie populations is leading to an imbalance in the variation of species in Antarctica especially because the gentoo population is actually rising as a result of this warming.  When there is an imbalance of species in any ecosystem this leads to problems such as collapsing food webs. I believe that this issue is a serious issue because although it would be difficult to reverse the damage that has already been done to Antarctica and the penguin populations, humans need to prevent any further damage to the environment by doing everything in our power to stop global warming.  If global warming does not slow down, many parts of Antarctica and all of the life there is in serious danger of becoming wiped out.

Souce: Stony Brook University (2012, March 21). Warming Antarctic brings changes to penguin breeding cycles. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 26, 2012, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2012/03/120321123758.htm      
Image 1: http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/news/20090121/305938main_Antarctica_temps.jpg
Image 2: http://simpleclimate.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/copa-adelie-colony-icebergs.jpg