Global Change Master Directory (GCMD)

Data Sets

Services / Tools

Ancillary Descriptions

Are you using a browser that doesn't support JavaScript or have you disabled JavaScript?

If you have disabled JavaScript, you must re-enable JavaScript to use this page.
Or you can view this record using the Text Only Format.

Population regulation and demography in Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) at three penguin colonies on Ross Island (Cape Bird, Cape Crozier and Cape Royds)

Entry ID: K122_1994_2012_NZ_2

[ Update this Record ]

Summary

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the factors regulating population size and colony distribution of Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) at three colonies on Ross Island (Cape Royds, Bird and Crozier) and when logistics allowed Beaufort Island through studying the importance of key resources (nesting space and food) and the way they are allocated by behavioural traits (philopatry, immigration and ... emigrations). A range of techniques was used to collect data. A sub-colony was fenced off and an automated weighbridge and data logger was installed at each colony. Several pairs of breeding birds were implanted with a passively interrogated transponder. When a bird steps on the weighbridge, the data logger would record direction of travel, weight and tag number, if a tag was present. These data were used to determine foraging effort (feeding trip duration and food load size). The productivity and chick condition index was measured in birds in the enclosure and those in an undisturbed colony to check for negative effects of the weighbridge. The stomach contents of Adelie penguin adults and chicks were examined for food prey species over time and between colonies. The diet quality was compared by analysing stable isotope (C and N) ratios in samples collected from dead chicks (protein rich, lipid poor tissue). GIS and satellite images were used to determine the effects of sea ice conditions on colony success (availability of food, breeding success, etc). To measure the effect of sea ice extent and availability of food on breeding success, 50 chicks/week/colony were randomly caught, weighed and flipper length measured to calculate a chick condition index as an indication of food availability during chick rearing stage. These data were comparable between years and colonies. To measure the immigration/emigration and philopatry behaviour role in colony size and distribution, chicks were banded at each colony (up to 1000 chicks/colony/season). In following seasons, searches were made for banded penguins at all colonies to estimate age specific fecundity and survival rates, age of first breeding and to measure immigration/emigration rates for each of the study colonies. The role of natal philopatry in the structure of colony formation was assessed by measuring genetic homogeneity among and within the colonies on Ross Island using mitochondrial DNA analysis. Radio telemetry, satellite tracking and time depth recorders were used to track individual penguins at sea to determine their foraging behaviour. To track post breeding migration, winter migration and over wintering feeding grounds, archival tags that determine geo-location were deployed on birds from Cape Royds and Crozier. Birds were recaptured the following season and data downloaded.

Blood samples and biometrics (e.g. weight and flipper length) collected from TDR adults to determine physiological capabilities collected, as well as biometrics from natal chicks. Dorsal and ventral feathers collected from each of the birds fitted with devices to determine sex. Productivity (chicks per pair), peak hatch and peak creche data collected using 2-3 Reference colonies and egg, chick and adult counts of 15 sub-colonies annually since 1996. Foraging trip frequencies and food load sizes collected using weighbridge measured annually between 20 Nov to 20 Jan. Chick condition index (weights and flipper length) collected weekly between 26 Dec and 22 Jan. Blood samples to determine pathogen loadings collected from breeding and non-breeding birds during the 2010-11 season at Cape Bird and (Cape Crozier via B-031). Mammal point surveys conducted opportunistically (daily mostly) since 2000.

Related URL

Link: VIEW PROFESSIONAL HOME PAGE

Description: Project co-ordinator homepage. Please contact Phil Lyver for more information regarding data.

Geographic Coverage

(Click for Interactive Map)

Spatial coordinates

N: -77.14

S: -77.56

E: 169.27

W: 166.17

N: -77.22

S: -77.22

E: 166.44

W: 166.44

Data Set Citation

Dataset Originator/Creator: NARSTO Quality System Science Center

Dataset Title: NARSTO EPA_SS_HOUSTON TEXAQS2000 DOE G-1 Air Chemistry, Aerosol, and Met Data

Dataset Release Date: 7/2/2003

Dataset Release Place: Hampton, Virginia

Dataset Publisher: ASDC at NASA Langley Research Center

Data Presentation Form: On-line ASCII files in comma seperated (.csv) format

Online Resource: http://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/PRODOCS/narsto/table_narsto.html

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 2000-08-19

Stop Date: 2000-09-12

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA > TEXAS

Data Resolution

Temporal Resolution: 10 seconds

Science Keywords

ATMOSPHERE > AEROSOLS > NITRATE PARTICLES

ATMOSPHERE > AEROSOLS > PARTICULATE MATTER

ISO Topic Category

BIOTA

Platform

SHIPS

Instrument

BEDLOAD SENSORS

TELESCOPES

Project

GLOBEC > Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics, IGBP

IGBP > International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme

U.S.GLOBEC-NEP > U.S. Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics, Northeast Pacific

ESIP > Earth Science Information Partners Program

Use Constraints Any person making substantial use of a data set must communicate with the
investigators who acquired the data prior to publication and anticipate that
the data collectors will be co-authors of published results. This extends to
model results and to data organized for retrospective studies.
...

Ancillary Keywords

Grampus_griseus

Lagenorhynchus_obliquidens

Data Center

U.S. Global Ocean Ecosystems Dynamics Program

Data Center URL: http://globec.whoi.edu/

Data Center Personnel
Name: ROBERT C. GROMAN Phone: 508-289-2409 Fax: 508-457-2169 Email: rgroman at whoi.edu Contact Address: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Swift House MS#38 City: Woods Hole Province or State: MA Postal Code: 02543-1127 Country: USA

Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office

Data Center URL: http://www.bco-dmo.org

Data Center Personnel
Name: ROBERT C. GROMAN Phone: 508-289-2409 Fax: 508-457-2169 Email: rgroman at whoi.edu Contact Address: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Swift House MS#38 City: Woods Hole Province or State: MA Postal Code: 02543-1127 Country: USA

Personnel

DICKY ALLISON

Role: DIF AUTHOR

Phone: 508-289-2298

Fax: 508-457-2169

Email: dallison at whoi.edu

Contact Address:

MS #36

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Shiverick House

City: Woods Hole

Province or State: Massachusetts

Postal Code: 02543

Country: USA

Publications/References

Cynthia T. Tynan, David G. Ainley, John A. Barth, Timothy J. Cowles, Stephen D.
Pierce and Larry B. Spear, 2005. Cetacean distributions relative to ocean
processes in the northern California Current System Deep Sea Research Part II:
Topical Studies in Oceanography, Volume 52, Issues 1-2, January 2005, Pages
145-167.

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 2005-08-31

Last DIF Revision Date: 2009-08-03

Reformat as FGDC document

View Text Only Format

[ Update this Record ]