Penguins Tracking Antarctica

Through penguins egg shells and feathers we are able to tell the climate, diet and web structures. They have been able to conclude that Antarctica has changed majorly since just last year and over decades it has been just declining. Over fishing is one of the many problems. Fish are a key source to many other animals. So it is taking away there food source. Penguins are at the middle of it all, there tissues capture what they have eaten. Researchers have noticed a large shift in isotope balances in penguins meaning a big change in their diet. About over a span of 80 years they have went from eating only fish then krill and back to fish. There are historical problems that went along with the change but there is more to the story. They are noticing higher nitrogen levels and more isotopes.

This study makes me wonder what other animals are we able to find this information out from. With this information are we able to do something to help them. I found this article very interested and I am excited to hear what they are doing next with the penguins.

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/look-penguins-track-antarctic-changes?mode=topic&context=60

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 8, 2018 at 6:49 AM

    I think it's interesting that scientists are able to find out so much about the earths environment and history through penguins. I am also curious if scientists can find similar information from other animals.

    ReplyDelete

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