Humpback Whales & Baleen Whales ? Cetaceans ? Whale Research ? Antarctica & Sea Ice ? Climate Change ? Global Warming | LiveScience
A record-breaking crowd of humpback whales has been seen in chilly waters near Antarctica, giving researchers a unique opportunity to study the colossal creatures — not to mention a few thrills.
However, scientists warn the unprecedented whale numbers, drawn to the region for all-night feasting on their favored prey, may portend hard times ahead for the region's other residents in an ominous sign of climate change.
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The research team counted five whales per square kilometer. Picture New York's Central Park, and that translates to 15 whales, each about 45 feet (13 meters) long, hanging around the premises. The previous observation record was about one whale per square kilometer.
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Climate change is keeping the region ice-free for far longer than in past years, said Ted Scambos, a lead scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), part of the University of Colorado.
The history of Antarctica's sea ice is a complicated one. Records indicate there was a huge drop in sea ice around the frigid continent sometime in the '60s or early '70s to near-present day levels — and there has been a slight increase in sea ice since then.
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1 comment:
Understood on the whale situation. But the real problem is krill development, isn't it? Krill grow best under the cover of ice flows. Less ice flows make the krill easier prey. Is that correct?
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