National Science Foundation studies emperor penguins in fight against global ... - The State Column

A study funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) have sought to tie the population of emperor penguins to global warming.

Using a technique known as pen-sharpening, scientists used high resolution satellite images to differentiate between penguins, ice, and shadows. The resulting analysis was then combined with on-the-ground accounts and aerial imagery, painting a complete portrait of the emperor penguin population in the region.

“The methods we used are an enormous step forward in Antarctic ecology because we can conduct research safely and efficiently with little environmental impact, and determine estimates of an entire penguin population, said Michelle LaRue from the University of Minnesota, who co-authored the study.

Scientists say the analysis discovered that emperor penguins living in Antarctica are far more abundant than previously thought. Using that analysis of 44 colonies of emperor penguins around the coastline of Antarctica, scientists estimate that the total population totals upwards of 600,000. The study doubles previous estimates that noted the population around 270,000 to 350,000.

The study, the first attempt to craft a census of the massive penguins, comes as scientists have sought additional means in an effort to measure the impact of global warming around the world. Scientists say the study could serve as a vital benchmark for monitoring the impact of environmental change on the population.

Researchers say the study will provide data that could be used years from now. Changes to levels of ice on the world’s coldest continent could pose a threat to the species, prompting concerns that scientists will not have ample data to determine the extent of the impact on the penguins.

Scientists said that the study results are especially promising, noting that an increase in the number of penguins is possibly an indication that the impact of global warming may be less widespread than previously thought.

“We are delighted to be able to locate and identify such a large number of emperor penguins. This is the first comprehensive census of a species taken from space,” said Peter Fretwell, who led the researchers at the British Antarctic Survey. “It gives us a bit more confidence not only that there are lots of emperor penguins out there but that we can actually keep track of them as well.”

Conservation groups fear emperor penguins would be disproportionately affected by climate change in the Antarctic as penguin colonies rely upon sea ice. Recent research suggests volumes of sea ice has been decreasing due to global warming. Colonies residing farther north are thought to be threatened by receding ice and rising sea levels.

The NSF has funded a number of studies in recent years aimed at further measuring the impact of global warming. The NSF manages the U.S. Antarctic Program through which it coordinates all U.S. scientific research on the southernmost continent. A study released earlier this month by the foundation noted that global cryosphere â€" the portion of the Earth’s surface where water is in solid form for at least one month of the year â€" has been shrinking in response to climate warming. This has been most obvious by the extents to which ice, snow, permafrost and glaciers have been decreasing.

The results are slated for publishing this week in the journal PLoS ONE.