How will Emperor Penguins Respond to Changing Antarctic Ice Conditions (EPIC)?

Emperor penguins are an iconic Antarctic species and so it is surprising that the first complete map of their colony locations was only made in 2024. This snapshot gives an indication of the precarious nature of their existence, because for 8 months of the year they reside on sea ice - frozen ocean water - that fringes the Antarctic continent. Since 2016 Antarctic sea ice has set new record-lows in extent, and some penguin colonies have suffered breeding failure as a result. As Antarctica responds to a warming climate, this sea ice is likely to decline over the long-term and become more unstable, posing a significant risk to the viability of emperor penguin colonies that call it their home. Predictions have suggested over 90% of colonies will become quasi-extinct by the year 2100 as their sea ice habitat is lost.

The project is led by the NERC British Antarctic Survey. At Durham the project involves Professor Stewart Jamieson and Dr Guy Paxman.

Emperor Penguins on land-fast sea ice with a nearby iceberg. Image Courtesy of Peter Fretwell at British Antarctic Survey.

Be social. Be informed. Be a part of Durham Geography.