Penguin activity modify the thermal regime of active layer in Antarctica: A case study from Hope Bay

Abstract

Monitoring permafrost and active layer is essential for prognostic research of future climate scenarios. Although biotic factors have a prominent role in active layer behavior, apart from vegetation effects, their influence remains little investigated. It is generally assumed that frozen ground exerts influence on nesting fauna, whereas, on the other hand, land colonization by birds, such as penguins can also interfere with the soil thermal regime. However, to our knowledge, no studies report on permafrost and active layer regime changes under penguin activity. We present a comparative study of two adjacent sites located in Hope Bay, one representing an active penguin rookery-S1, and another, an adjacent abandoned site currently vegetated-S2. Soil temperature and water content, and air temperature were monitored hourly from 2009 to 2011. Current penguin activity and the resulting deposition of guano during spring and summer in S1 is an important factor for explaining the higher number of thaw degree days due to direct physical impact and chemical reactions caused by rapid guano decomposition. In the vegetated S2 site, the snow pack lasted longer, showing the highest mean minimum temperature and larger thermal insulation, as well as larger FDD than those found in the bare soil of the active rookery (S1), and lower n-F, due to greater thermal insulation. Penguins played a significant role in changing the active layer depth and thermal regime, and represent a neglected actor on the ground thermal regime in Antarctic terrestrial environments.