Emperor penguins breed on shelves of sea ice in the winter. By spring, the chicks have developed waterproof plumage and are ready to swim in the cold ocean waters. What effect might a warming climate have on the penguins? EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER

Question

Emperor penguins breed on shelves of sea ice in the winter. By spring, the chicks have developed waterproof plumage and are ready to swim in the cold ocean waters. What effect might a warming climate have on the penguins? EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER

Responses

The sea ice melts before the chicks are ready to swim.
The sea ice melts before the chicks are ready to swim. - not selected, this is the correct answer

The chicks grow faster because of the warming temperature.
The chicks grow faster because of the warming temperature. - no response given

The sea ice melts later in the season, and the penguins have to travel farther to find food.
The sea ice melts later in the season, and the penguins have to travel farther to find food. - incorrect

The sea ice freezes earlier in the winter, shifting the breeding schedule.

Answer 1

The sea ice melting earlier in the season would have a negative effect on the Emperor penguins. This is because if the sea ice melts before the chicks are ready to swim, they would not have a safe platform to learn how to swim and develop essential skills for survival. This could result in a decrease in the penguin population as the chicks may not be able to survive without the sea ice. Additionally, the breeding success of the penguins could also be impacted, as the timing of the sea ice melting is crucial for their breeding cycle. Overall, a warming climate leading to early sea ice melting would not be beneficial for Emperor penguins.