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Fast ice distribution in Adelie Land, East Antarctica: interannual variability and implications for emperor penguins Aptenodytes forsteri
Citation
Massom, RA and Hill, K and Barbraud, C and Adams, ND and Ancel, A and Emmerson, L and Pook, MJ, Fast ice distribution in Adelie Land, East Antarctica: interannual variability and implications for emperor penguins Aptenodytes forsteri, Marine Ecology Progress Series, 374, (January) pp. 243-257. ISSN 0171-8630 (2009) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2009 Inter-Research.
Official URL: http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v374/p243-25...
Abstract
Antarctic fast ice is of key climatic and ecological importance, yet its distribution and
variability are poorly understood. We present a detailed analysis of fast ice along the Adélie Land coast
(East Antarctica) using satellite data from 1992 to 1999. Fast ice formation along this coastline is intimately
linked to grounded iceberg distribution in waters of <350 m depth. Considerable interannual
variability occurs in areal extent and formation/break-up; the variability is related to wind direction.
Distance to the fast ice edge and its extent are major determinants of emperor penguin Aptenodytes
forsteri breeding success at Pointe Géologie. Of crucial importance are the frequency and duration of
fast ice break-out events in the deep-water trough north-northwest of the colony. Successful penguin
breeding seasons in 1993, 1998 and 1999 ([number of fledged chicks in late November / number of
breeding pairs] >75% success) coincided with lower-than-average fast ice extents and persistently
short distances to nearest open water (foraging grounds), and corresponded to a strong positive phase
of the Southern Annular Mode. Poor breeding seasons in 1992, 1994 and 1995 (success <15%) coincided
with average to slightly higher-than-average ice extents and persistently long distances to foraging
grounds. Poor-to-moderate breeding years (success ~40 to 50%), e.g. 1996 and 1997, occurred with
above-average ice extents combined with fairly long distances from breeding to foraging grounds during
the chick nurturing season. The overall correlation between breeding success and distance was
high (r2 = 0.89), albeit based on a limited number of years (n = 8). Substantially less fast ice was present
in two Argon satellite photographs taken in August and October 1963. This coincided with a highly
successful breeding season and appears to have been related to stronger and more southerly winds.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | Antarctic fast ice · Emperor penguin · Breeding success · Pointe Géologie · Wind · |
Research Division: | Environmental Sciences |
Research Group: | Ecological applications |
Research Field: | Ecosystem function |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Coastal and estuarine systems and management |
Objective Field: | Assessment and management of coastal and estuarine ecosystems |
UTAS Author: | Massom, RA (Dr Robert Massom) |
UTAS Author: | Hill, K (Ms Kristy Hill) |
UTAS Author: | Adams, ND (Dr Neil Adams) |
ID Code: | 62215 |
Year Published: | 2009 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 63 |
Deposited By: | IASOS |
Deposited On: | 2010-03-10 |
Last Modified: | 2012-03-05 |
Downloads: | 499 View Download Statistics |
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