Variation in population size of the Gentoo penguin, Pygoscelis papua, at Esperanza/Hope Bay, Antarctic

LIBERTELLI, MARCELA; DONINI, G.; BLANCO, G.; DE BLASIS, C.; MATUS F.; SIMONETTI, R.; BARRERA ORO, E. R.; FAVERO, M.; CORIA, N.

Rio Grande

Congreso; II APECS-Brazil WORKSHOP; 2012

Asociación de Investigadores Polares en inicio de carrera

Provisorio The breeding population size of the Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) at Esperanza/Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula, was studied by monitoring of two breeding groups in seven summers in the period of years 2002-2012. We conducted in both areas direct counts of occupied penguin nests to estimate the population breeding size. We observeding an increase in the number of pairs breeding in both groups in spite of slight fluctuations. These changes can be related with the recent warming observed along the western of the Antarctic Peninsula.