This penguin mapping project forms a vital part of an interdisciplinary expedition to Antarctica, involving themes such as climatology, microplastic chemistry, and penguin ecology. The primary objective was to map penguin nesting sites, examining their spatial distribution in relation to abiotic (e.g., slope, proximity to glaciers) and biotic (e.g., interspecies competition) parameters.

Lana Lenourry, a student researcher from Juste 2C, undertook the challenging task of generating detailed Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) to enhance understanding of penguin habitats. By leveraging the YellowScan Mapper, the project captured high-resolution topographic data, enabling precise location of nesting sites and differentiation of penguin species. This data provided actionable insights into how penguins adapt to abiotic factors like topography and proximity to natural features and biotic pressures.

The project’s findings are pivotal for anticipating the impact of climate change on penguin habitats, especially as sea levels rise and glaciers retreat, reshaping their ecosystems.