Population trends and reproductive success at a frequently visited penguin colony on the western Antarctic Peninsula

摘要: Petermann Island (65°10′S, 64°10′W), one of the Antarctic Peninsula’s most frequently visited locations, is at epicenter a rapid shift in which an Adelie penguin dominated fauna becoming gentoo dominated. Over course five seasons, breeding productivity and penguins were monitored to identify drivers this community change. The impact tourist visitation on success was also investigated. Consistent with larger trends region, population decreased by 29% increased 27% between 2003/2004 2007/2008 seasons. Reproductive among ranged from 1.09 1.32 creched chicks/nest, higher than or comparable other sites unlikely explanation for precipitous decline Island. Whereas reproductive lowest colonies tourists, tourists had those only occasionally. These results are placed context studies penguins.