How animals distribute themselves in space: energy landscapes of Antarctic avian predators

Abstract Background Energy landscapes provide an approach to the mechanistic basis of spatial ecology and decision-making in animals. This is based on quantification variation energy costs movements through a given environment, as well how these vary time for different animal populations. Organisms diverse fish, mammals, birds will move areas landscape that result minimised maximised gain. Recently, have been used link gain variable foraging breeding success, revealing their potential use understanding demographic changes. Methods Using GPS-temperature-depth tri-axial accelerometer loggers, stable isotope molecular analyses diet, leucocyte counts, we studied response gentoo ( Pygoscelis papua ) chinstrap antarcticus penguins resources. We compared species penguin populations with contrasting population trends. Results Between populations, from Livingston Island (Antarctica), site positive trends, foraged sectors implied lower per gained those around New (Falkland/Malvinas Islands; sub-Antarctic), fluctuating foraging, success species, bottom time, proxy They also showed physiological stress, revealed by higher than penguins. In terms found flexible but narrow niche chinstraps. Conclusions The incurred Livingston, may favour would explain species’ trend Antarctic Peninsula. gentoos Antarctica not negative trend. Altogether, our results suggest between mediated condition.