What are black, white, and red all over?

Penguins with Sunburn: Examining the correlation

between Galapagos Penguin population and sea level rise.
Introduction:
The purpose of this experiment was to determine the correlation between the rise in
sea level and the population of Galapagos Penguin (GP) population. In this
examination I will be measuring 15 years of research on Galapagos Penguin
population compared to sea level rise.

Data:
Chart One:
Years (15)
1982
1987
1992
1997
2002

Population Decreased by
20%
43%
47%
59%
77%

Sea Level Rise (inches)

0.5
1
1.2
2.1
3.99
Average: 8.79

The figure above shows how much Galapagos Penguin populations have decreased in the last
15 years compared to sea level rise.

The information used in Chart One only demonstrates 15 years in five-year intervals
because the years in between did not show enough increase to keep the data clean
and user friendly.

Dissuasion: restaurants
The purpose of this experiment was to determine the correlation between the rise in
sea level and the population of Galapagos Penguin (GP) population (Chart One)
through critical analysis of Galapagos Penguin population of the western islands of
Fernandina and Isabela researched through the International Penguin Conservation
Work Group. A correlation was suspected because being an endangered specie, the
GP it is much more subject to environmental threats such as the effects to global
warming. In addition, the GP is one of the oldest specie of waterfowl in the world
making it less adaptable to environmental changes.
Through statistical correlation it was proved that there is a strong positive
correlation, despite a small amount of data, between the GP and sea level rise.
(Chart one) This correlation is one of many that suggests that the rise in global
warming has a negative effect on many organisms. Dr. James D. Agresti and Dr.

Schuyler Dugle from Princeton University say, There is no doubt that our Earth is
warming, and there is no question that it is (to say the least) throwing off millions
of organisms.
The correlation I found was 0.7, meaning it was a strong positive correlation. In
other words, when sea level increases penguin population decreases. 49% of the
variation of GP population is explained by sea level. Though I had a small amount of
data, the correlation was strong enough to make me understand that its not chance.
Through analysis it was found that there is a strong correlation between the rise in sea
level and the population of Galapagos Penguin population. It was concluded that with
each year sea levels rise while the Galapagos Penguin population decreases. It was
expected that the cause of decrease in GP population was due to the rise in sea level.
However, through further research it was found that the mullet fish, the main source
of food for GP has had their migrational pattern offset due to a shift in costal
currents from an increase in global heat. The ocean is a major driver of global
climate. It redistributes large amounts of heat via global ocean currents, in a process
called thermohaline circulation. Marine and coastal ecosystems have adapted over
time to the ocean circulation patterns as we know them today. In conclusion, the
mullet fishs migrational pattern is offset due to a change in thermohaline
circulation which leaves the GP without a steady food source. (Ocean Circulation)
An ecosystem is made up of all the living animals, humans, plants and the non-living
matter in a particular place, like a forest or lake. All the living things in an ecosystem
depend on all the other things--living and non-living for continued survival--for food
sources and other needs. Like all organisms, the Galapagos Penguin is a part of this
web. If the Galapagos Penguin goes extinct, how will humans be affected?

Citations:
Bingham, Mike. "Galapagos Penguin". International Penguin Conservation Work
Group.
"Ocean Circulation." Climate Change. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2014.
<http://centerforoceansolutions.org/climate/impacts/ocean-circulation/>
"Global Warming - Just Facts." Global Warming - Just Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct.
2014. <http://www.justfacts.com/globalwarming.asp>.