In a study published in Nature Communications, satellite images are combined with behavioural models to predict the number of breeding pairs and fledged chicks. This technique considers the presence and absence of individuals during the breeding cycle and the weather dependent distribution of the colony. Previous counts could not accurately determine annual local breeding success. However, monitoring breeding success is important as emperor penguins are considered indicators of the Southern Ocean ecosystem, which is threatened by climate change. This method can help guide conservation measures such as no-take zones more effectively.
Here you can find the press release of the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU).
Reference:
Winterl A., Richter S., Houstin A., Barracho T., Boureau M., Cornec C., Couet D., Cristofari R., Eiselt C., Fabry B., Krellenstein A., Mark C., Mainka A., Ménard D., Morinay J., Pottier S., Schloesing E., Le Bohec C. & Zitterbart D.P. (2024) Remote sensing of emperor penguin abundance and breeding success. Nature Communications. 10.1038/s41467-024-48239-8
