How much do penguins take care of their habitat? Population regulation in Magellanic penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus, at Martillo Island, Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego.

G SCIOSCIA; CORONATO A; D QUIROGA; A SCHIAVINI; K PÜTZ; A RAYA REY

Congreso; Ornithological Congress of the Americas. XVII RAO / XXIV CBO / XCV AFO; 2017

How much do penguins take care of their habitat?: Population regulation in the Magellan penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus, at Isla Martillo, Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego.Habitat degradation is one of the major threats to wildlife populations. Several factors have been found responsible for this degradation. Can the same species cause this degradation? Between years 2004-2016 was realized census in Magellanic penguin colony from Isla Martillo. In 2016 the erosion degree in the colony was evaluated. Reproductive success, adult body indexes and foraging characteristics were compared among areas. The point-transect methodology was used to estimate the nest density (Dn: nests/ha) at each point of a permanent grid, registering new areas colonized over years. In 2016 the erosion degree was estimated at same points and then extrapolated to colony area total, identifying areas with high, medium and low percentage degradation (aH, aM, aL, respectively) on the island. The nest density increased over years in general population, being greater to east of the island and expanding towards west, on aL. In areas with higher Dn (average Dn 2004-2015 and Dn 2016) the erosion degree was higher (GLM p