Context: 

Scientists from South African universities survey Marion Island to locate and record each wandering albatross nest.

About Albatross:

• Scientific Name: Diomedea exulans 
• About: 
  • It is the world’s largest flying bird, with a wingspan reaching upto 3.5 meters.

• • Oceanic Nomads: They  come ashore only to  breed approximately every two years once they have reached sexual maturity.
  • Nest: The birds make their nests on  a mound of soil and vegetation on the ground. They  prefer a low  and warm site near the coast  and coastal vegetation.
• Habitat: The Southern Ocean (The region between 600 South Latitude and Antarctica)  and the scattered islands where they make their nests.
  • Marion Island and Prince Edward Island: They support about half of the world’s wandering albatross breeding population, estimated at around 20,000 mature individuals
• Protection Status: Vulnerable (IUCN status).
• Risk and Threats: 
  • Bycatch  from longline fishing trawlers in open oceans
  • Habitat Degradation on Marion Island: 
    •  Temperature  had increased by 1.2°C compared to 50 years before. 
    • Precipitation: It decreased by 25 per cent and cloud cover also decreased, leading to an increase in sunshine hours.
    • The permanent snowline:  No longer exists. 
    • Wind speeds:  Increased in the Southern Ocean and are predicted to continue doing so, which may have effects on the size of areas suitable for nesting.

News Source: Down To Earth

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