Population changes of Ad_lie and emperor penguins along the Prince Olav Coast and on the Riiser-Larsen Peninsula

Abstract

The trends of penguin populations are thought to be reliable indicators of ecosystem changes in the Southern Ocean. There are seven Adelie penguin colonies and one emperor penguin colony along the Prince Olav Coast and one emperor penguin colony on the Riiser-Larsen Peninsula. We compiled and analyzed the available data collected by airborne and ground census between +31+ and ,*** in order to determine the breeding status of penguins in this area. Adelie penguin populations increased at two colonies; no apparent trends were observed at other colonies. Emperor penguin populations were high in the mid-+33*s and suddenly decreased in ,***. Populations need to be carefully monitored in the coming years. key words: Adelie penguin, emperor penguin, population, East Antarctica