The objective of the programme is to understand how the spatio-temporal variability of the environment affects the fitness of individual seabirds and marine mammals, top predators of the Southern Ocean, and the consequences for the spatial distribution of individuals and the dynamics of their populations. The programme is based on (a) long term monitoring of the populations of 24 species at four Antarctic and sub-Antarctic sites , and (b) specific studies addressing fundamental questions in evolutionary ecology ; these studies aid in understanding the mechanisms underlying long term changes.

Campaign 2007-2008

The 3 central themes of our program will be pursued this year.
(1) Long term monitoring program of higher marine predators. We propose also to start an new demographic study on emperor penguins based on transponded chick.
(2) Studies at the population level will involve the test of new methods of censusing. Using miniature geolocation systems we will study the dispersal behaviour and foraging zones of non breeding birds (albatross, skua, crested penguin). We will also study the foraging behaviour of elephant seals and Weddell seals tracked by Argos satellite transmitters measuring the depth profiles, temperature and salinity to relate the foraging behaviour of seals with the local oceanographic conditions.
(3) Individual strategies: study of foraging strategies in relation with the marine environment focusing on the use of miniaturised GPS on black-browed and wandering albatrosses, simultaneously with stomach temperature sensors, to study foraging strategies at a small spatial scale in the marine environment. We will also study hormonal correlates of reproductive effort in relation to age and experience.

This program is endorsed in IPY project n°153 MEOP : Marine Mammal Exploration of the Oceans Pole to Pole