Image courtesy of Jean Pennycook

From: Jean Pennycook
Antarctic Peninsula, January 16, 2007

Antarctic Peninsula

The most northern edge of the Adelie penguins range is the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Owing to global climate change, temperatures are increasing and the sea ice no longer develops enough to sustain Adelie populations. Empty nest sites, unused piles of rocks and mummified penguin bodies tell the story of an abandoned habitat. Adelie penguins require pack ice covered seas to complete their breeding cycle. The populations that used to breed here have either died out or moved to more southern latitudes where these conditions still exists. If increasing temperature trends continue to spread further south, penguin will run out of habitat.

What Controls the Climate System?

Are Polar Bears on Thin Ice? In the Northern Hemisphere, melting ice has an impact too.

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Postcards from the Field: Antarctica

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