Raw images (over approximately 20.000 unique images) collected during the Adelie Penguin Census across 30+ colonies since 1981 (see associated metadata resource for list full list of colonies). Photographs were taken using a black and white film camera from 1981 to 2004 (inclusive) and 2008. Images are available in .tif fomrat. Images are digital from 2005 onwards (except 2008). Raw images are available in cr2/cr3 formats, and processed images are available across tif and jpg formats. High resolution scanning was initiated in 2011 to scan all the negatives in the collection. There are approximately 10,000 negatives in the collection. Images are taken from helicopter at between 2000-2500 feet. All images collected during the 2324 season are georeferenced with latitude and longitude positions in decimal degrees (WGS 84). Camera Settings: ISO = 400 Shutter speed = greater than 1/1000 Focus = manual, pre-focus to 800m Lens = 135mm with UV filter Aperture/ Exposure = F8 (or up to F11) Image Size = Full size White Balance Setting = Daylight Captures per minute = ~80 GET DATA: m.meredyth-young@antarcticanz.govt.nz

Polar regions are experiencing some of the most dramatic effects of climate change resulting in large-scale changes in sea ice cover. Despite this, there are relatively few long-term studies on polar species that evaluate the full scope of these effects. Over the last two decades, this team has conducted globally unique demographic studies of Adélie penguins in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, to explore several potential mechanisms for population change. This five-year project will use penguin-borne sensors to evaluate foraging conditions and behavior and environmental conditions on early life stages of Adélie penguins. Results will help to better understand population dynamics and how populations might respond to future environmental change. To promote STEM literacy, education and public outreach efforts will include multiple activities. The PenguinCam and PenguinScience.com website (impacts of >1 million hits per month and use by >300 classrooms/~10,000 students) will be continued. Each field season will also have ‘Live From the Penguins’ Skype calls to classes (~120/season). Classroom-ready activities that are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards will be developed with media products and science journal papers translated to grade 5-8 literacy level. The project will also train early career scientists, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students and post-graduate interns. Finally, in partnership with an Environmental Leadership Program, the team will host 2-year Roger Arliner Young Conservation Fellow, which is a program designed to increase opportunities for recent college graduates of color to learn about, engage with, and enter the environmental conservation sector. Further details are provided at: Morandini, V., Dugger, K. M., Schmidt, A. E., Varsani, A., Lescroël, A., Ballard, G., Lyver, P. O., Barton, K., & Ainley, D. G. (2024). Sex-specific recruitment rates contribute to male-biased sex ratio in Adélie penguins. Ecology and Evolution, 14, e10859. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10859 GET DATA: https://doi.org/10.15784/601444

Aerial reconnaissance and photography are used in the Ross Sea sector of Antarctica to determine the breeding locations of Adélie penguins and to count the numbers of nests occupied during the early incubation period. From 1981 to present (two-year embargo), all islands and sea coasts between 158°E and 175°E have been searched, and 11 previously unreported breeding colonies discovered. The aim is to census Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae) populations to provide basic data against which future population levels can be compared in order to monitor environmental change of the Antarctic Ocean ecosystem, both natural and man-induced. GET DATA: https://datastore.landcareresearch.co.nz/en_AU/dataset/adelie-penguin-census-data