Remote sensing of emperor penguin abundance and breeding success

Alexander Winterl (), Sebastian Richter, Aymeric Houstin, Téo Barracho, Matthieu Boureau, Clément Cornec, Douglas Couet, Robin Cristofari, Claire Eiselt, Ben Fabry, Adélie Krellenstein, Christoph Mark, Astrid Mainka, Delphine Ménard, Jennifer Morinay, Susie Pottier, Elodie Schloesing, Céline Le Bohec () and Daniel P. Zitterbart ()
Additional contact information
Alexander Winterl: Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Sebastian Richter: Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Aymeric Houstin: Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Téo Barracho: IPHC UMR 7178
Matthieu Boureau: IPHC UMR 7178
Clément Cornec: IPHC UMR 7178
Douglas Couet: IPHC UMR 7178
Robin Cristofari: IPHC UMR 7178
Claire Eiselt: IPHC UMR 7178
Ben Fabry: Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Adélie Krellenstein: IPHC UMR 7178
Christoph Mark: Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Astrid Mainka: Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Delphine Ménard: IPHC UMR 7178
Jennifer Morinay: IPHC UMR 7178
Susie Pottier: IPHC UMR 7178
Elodie Schloesing: IPHC UMR 7178
Céline Le Bohec: IPHC UMR 7178
Daniel P. Zitterbart: Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract Emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) are under increasing environmental pressure. Monitoring colony size and population trends of this Antarctic seabird relies primarily on satellite imagery recorded near the end of the breeding season, when light conditions levels are sufficient to capture images, but colony occupancy is highly variable. To correct population estimates for this variability, we develop a phenological model that can predict the number of breeding pairs and fledging chicks, as well as key phenological events such as arrival, hatching and foraging times, from as few as six data points from a single season. The ability to extrapolate occupancy from sparse data makes the model particularly useful for monitoring remotely sensed animal colonies where ground-based population estimates are rare or unavailable.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48239-8

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