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? Responses The sea ice melts later in the season, and the penguins have to travel farther to find food. The sea ice melts before the chicks are ready to swim.
The warmer climate could have a negative impact on emperor penguins as the sea ice melts later in the season, causing the penguins to have to travel farther to find food. This could result in increased energy expenditure and difficulty in finding sufficient food for both adults and chicks. Additionally, if the sea ice melts before the chicks are ready to swim, they may not be able to survive in the cold ocean waters without the protection of the sea ice platforms. This could lead to a decrease in the emperor penguin population and potential long-term consequences for the species.
