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Biological and geochemical proxies in sediment cores reveal shifts in marine predator population dynamics relative to historic anthropogenic exploitation and recent climate change at South Georgia Island sub-Antarctic

Polar Biology volume 45, pages 1379–1389 (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

Historical climate change and human exploitation are thought to have played important roles in shaping population dynamics of sub-Antarctic marine predators, such as king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) and Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazelle). For example, Antarctic fur seals on the sub-Antarctic South Georgia Island were nearly hunted to extinction by humans before the early 1900s. However, records of occupation history pre- and post-anthropogenic stress are often sporadic and challenging to interpret. In this study, we investigated paleoecological proxies in sediment cores from South Georgia Island to examine past marine predator population dynamics in the face of climate change and exploitation pressure. Sediment cores representing 1854 CE to present were collected from two sites on South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic and analyzed for geochemical (total carbon, total nitrogen, δ13C and δ15N values) and biological (e.g., seal hairs, penguin feathers) proxies. Proxies in both cores indicated the onset of the recovery of penguin and fur seal populations in the early to mid-1900s, following the cessation of hunting. Additionally, our results suggest marked increases in both penguin and seal populations beginning around 1950 CE. Between the 1950s and 2019, 97% of South Georgia Island’s glaciers retreated associated with recent climatic warming. This warming increased the availability of local breeding areas for king penguins, which likely explains the population rise during that time. This study deepens our understanding of the response of sub-Antarctic marine predator populations to past climate change and human exploitation, which may aid in predicting future ecosystem responses to environmental disturbance.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in the U.S. Antarctic Program Data Center at: https://doi.org/10.15784/601509

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the National Science Foundation (Grant Nos. 1443585 and 1826712) to M. Polito and K. McMahon. The 210Pb dating was carried out by LSU Shell endowment fund to K. Maiti. Thank you to the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands, J. Lee, T. Hart, Quark Expeditions, and the staff and crew of the Ocean Endeavour for permitting and logistical assistance on South Georgia Island. Thank you to H. Bennadji and P.O. Clower for assistance with elemental analysis, stable isotope analysis, and radiometric dating. Thank you to C. Foley and H. Lynch for insights into king penguin population counts and for their thoughtful review of this manuscript. Thank you also to A. Herrmann for helpful feedback on an earlier version of this manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) National Science Foundation Grant Nos. 1443585 and 1826712. M. J. Polito and K. W. McMahon.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

    Allyson K. Kristan, Kanchan Maiti, Michael A. Dance & Michael J. Polito

  2. Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI, 02882, USA

    Kelton W. McMahon

Authors
  1. Allyson K. Kristan
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  2. Kanchan Maiti
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  3. Kelton W. McMahon
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  4. Michael A. Dance
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  5. Michael J. Polito
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Contributions

MJP, KWM, and AKK conceived and designed research. MJP and KWM collected samples. AKK and KM conducted experiments. MJP and KM contributed analytical tools. AKK and MAD analyzed data. AKK and MJP wrote the initial draft of the manuscript. All authors revised and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Allyson K. Kristan.

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Kristan, A.K., Maiti, K., McMahon, K.W. et al. Biological and geochemical proxies in sediment cores reveal shifts in marine predator population dynamics relative to historic anthropogenic exploitation and recent climate change at South Georgia Island sub-Antarctic. Polar Biol 45, 1379–1389 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-022-03067-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-022-03067-8

Keywords

  • Antarctic fur seal
  • Climate change
  • Glacial retreat
  • King penguin
  • Paleoecology
  • Stable isotopes