Science News: Emperor Penguins Are Now a Threatened Species As Climate Change Melts Sea Ice

Science News: The Endangered Species Emperor Penguins has already protected emperor penguins, but their population is under threat from climate change. This article looks at the current situation for these iconic birds and how the melting sea ice is affecting their population. By 2050, the population size is expected to decline by up to 46%. Climate change is likely to worsen their vulnerability, because they depend on sea ice for breeding, molting and feeding.

Endangered Species Act protections for emperor penguins

As climate change melts sea ice and reduces sea ice in the Antarctic Peninsula, the emperor penguin is at risk. The loss of sea ice decreases the penguins’ food supply of krill, tiny shrimp-like crustaceans that live in the sea ice. As the sea ice melts, the krill disappear as well. Fortunately, some changes in the ice surrounding Antarctica may help emperor penguin populations. Due to increased wind and break-up of glaciers, the sea ice off of western Antarctica has increased in recent years.

The Endangered Species Act is the most powerful environmental law in the world. It is designed to protect imperiled species from extinction and facilitate their recovery. Increasingly, the ESA is being used to protect species facing extinction due to climate change. The first species to be listed under the ESA was the polar bear, whose species is also at risk due to climate change. Listing a species under the ESA requires agencies to use science-based tools to protect the species.

There are a few exceptions to this rule, however. For example, emperor penguins may be taken in Antarctica if the take is authorized by implementing regulations under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2401 et seq.). This exception applies to all emperor penguin parts, whether they are alive or dead. This rule would also allow for importation of emperor penguins into the United States from Antarctica.

Impact of climate change on emperor penguins

Emperor penguins, among the world’s most iconic birds, depend on the perfect combination of thick ice and water to survive. Scientists have tracked the evolution of the species for 60 years, and the changes in sea ice have impacted penguin populations in recent years. In the 1970s, for example, the Antarctic sea ice coverage declined dramatically. As a result, the population of emperor penguins decreased drastically.

The research shows that emperor penguins are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. As global warming continues, they are increasingly at risk of extinction. Current climate models show that the Antarctic Sea ice is declining significantly, which is vital to the penguins’ life cycle. This study also points to the need for enhanced precautionary management and legal recognition of endangered species.

Climate change is the main threat to emperor penguins. A potential listing under the Endangered Species Act could have major consequences for the species. For one, it could put penguins on the endangered species list, which could affect future fossil fuel projects in the United States. It could also lead to a reduction of heat-trapping pollution around the world.

Population size could fall by 26% to 46% by 2050

According to the latest research, the number of breeding pairs of emperor penguins will decline by about two-thirds to forty-six percent by 2050. These declines will be disproportionately higher in the high-emissions scenario. The declines will also be uneven across the continent. The population of breeding colonies in the Ross Sea and Weddell Sea will remain stable while those in the Bellingshausen-Amundsen Sea and Indian Ocean will decline by up to 90 percent.

While climate change is the most significant threat to emperor penguins, other stressors also threaten the species’ viability. These include research and tourism, pollution, and commercial Antarctic krill fisheries. In addition to reducing emperor penguins’ habitat, these threats also affect the species’ genetic diversity and ecological diversity.

Although emperor penguins are able to breed and raise chicks in cold, dark environments, their breeding cycle can last 14 to 15 months. A breeding pair can raise two chicks at a time. Their breeding season is from November to April, and their colonies are typically a mix of chicks of different ages.

Dependence on sea ice for breeding, molting and feeding

Emperor penguins rely on sea ice to survive, molt and breed. The declining sea ice in their breeding area is causing the penguins’ breeding failure, and a recent study found that up to 10,000 chicks died. The colony’s survival is uncertain, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing the emperor penguins as ‘threatened’ under the Endangered Species Act. This listing would be a victory for the penguins, as it is the same law that protects polar bears.

While Emperor penguins are tough fighters, their breeding success depends on stable sea ice. This ice is crucial for breeding, molting and feeding the penguins, and the melting of sea ice around Antarctica threatens their survival.

If sea ice continues to recede at the rate projected by climate models, emperor penguin colonies could become almost entirely extinct by the year 2100. Currently, the numbers of breeding pairs of emperor penguins are estimated at around 250,000, but this number could be reduced significantly in the coming decades.