Distribution and Reproductive Behavior of Penguins on Ardley Island and their Environmental Impact Factors

During the 2006/07 Antarctic summer, the species population, distribution and reproductive behavior of penguins in areas near the Great Wall Station were investigated. Five species of penguin were recorded: gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua ), adelie penguin (P. adeliae ), chinstrap penguin ( P. antarctica ), King penguin ( Aptenodytes patagonicus ) and Emperor penguin ( A. forsteri ). The first three species bred locally, while the other two species were observed occasionally. Ardley Island is one of the most important breeding areas for penguins. After the breeding season of 2006/07, there were a total of about 17 234 penguins and the breeding success rate was 0.40—1.41. Comparing with historical data, changes in penguin species populations and distribution were analyzed, and their relationships with the environment, climate change and human activity were investigated.