Bricher_etal_2008.pdf (571.97 kB)
Population trends of Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae breeding colonies: a spatial analysis of the effects of snow accumulation and human activities
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 22:48 authored by Bricher, PK, Arko LucieerArko Lucieer, Woehler, EMany of the Adélie penguin colonies used for long-term demographic studies are located near research stations, and there is a need to disentangle the effects of human activities and environmental variability on Adélie penguin population trends. This study used Geographic Information Systems and decision trees to examine whether potential changes in snow cover and/or proximity to human activities were able to explain the varying population trends of colonies at two breeding localities near Casey, East Antarctica. At the less visited site, Whitney Pt, wind exposure and snow accumulation correctly predicted the broad trends of colonies in most (84%) instances, whereas at Shirley I their predictive accuracy fell to 58%. At Shirley I, proximity to human activity correctly predicted the broad trends for 84% of colonies. While snow accumulation patterns are a primary driver of variation in population trends among colonies, the eVect of snow accumulation is outweighed by proximity to human activities near Casey.
History
Publication title
Polar BiologyVolume
31Issue
11Pagination
1397-1407ISSN
0722-4060Department/School
School of Geography, Planning and Spatial SciencesPublisher
SpringerPlace of publication
GermanyRepository Status
- Restricted