Penguins taking it on the chin

Phytoplankton    (Photo by NOAA)

Chinstrap penguins of the Antarctic feed on krill, which in turn feed on phytoplankton.  The Guardian reports that “ice is vital” for phytoplankton in this region.

Trouble is, the Antarctic ice has been melting at an alarming rate.  Scientists have determined that winter temperatures “on and around the Antarctic peninsula” are 5ºC warmer than they were during pre-industrial times.

There are now less than half the chinstrap colonies than previously noted.  King and Adelie penguins are also drastically declining.  Greenpeace is urging governments to agree upon “a strong Global Ocean Treaty" in order to protect such vulnerable populations.

Resources

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/11/antarctic-alarm-collapse-chinstrap-penguin-numbers-global-heating 

Copyright February 11, 2020 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved