Project information
Project aim
High-order predators rely on the productivity of the Southern Ocean marine ecosystem for their continued survival. Their place in that ecosystem is the result of a long history of evolutionary adaptation to a challenging and changing environment. The objective of this study is to understand how species have adapted historically and are responding to todays rapidly changing environment. This study will use current and innovative non-invasive approaches (stable isotope analyses, ancient DNA extraction and pollutant analyses) to reconstruct historical feeding behaviours, contaminant loading and genetic changes over time for predators found at Macquarie Island.
Related publications
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King penguin population on Macquarie Island recovers ancient DNA diversity after heavy exploitation in historic times. Biology Letters, 2012
(Ref: 14715)
Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature
Historically, king penguin populations on Macquarie Island have suffered greatly from human exploitation. Two large colonies on the island were drastically reduced to a single small colony as a result of harvesting for the blubber oil industry. However…
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Perfluorinated compounds in the Antarctic region: Ocean circulation provides prolonged protection from distant sources. Environmental Pollution, 2010
(Ref: 14196)
Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature
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A Southern Ocean dietary database. Ecology, 2011
(Ref: 14458)
Authors:Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature