The Winners and Losers of Climate Change: A Case of the Gentoo Penguins and Adelie Penguins

Abstract

The aim of this review is to assess the scientific literature on the effects of climate change on Antarctic fauna with a focus on two pygoscelid penguins, the Adelie (Pygoscelis adeliae) and Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) Penguins which are arguably, both affected by changes in the sea ice extent (Forcada et al. 2006). It will hope to discover whether or not the Gentoo penguin species will, in fact, displace the Adelie penguin species habitat based on the changing climates and differing physiological and habitat preferences. Based on the evidence put forward, there is still a large amount of research that needs to be completed in order to have a good understanding of the population dynamics of both species, and therefore, how they interact with each other. The increases in climate warming will continue to get worse and therefore, action needs to be taken now to address the impacts on Antarctic wildlife before it is too late and extinctions will begin causing massive alterations in the food chains and shifting the entire Antarctic ecosystem.