DSpace Collection:

Challenges to the Antarctic Treaty System in the Era of Climate Crisis and Hegemonic Competition: Korea'

2026-02-10T04:29:02Z

Title: Challenges to the Antarctic Treaty System in the Era of Climate Crisis and Hegemonic Competition: Korea' Authors: Kim, Ji Hee; Kim, Jeong-Hoon; Seo, Won-Sang Abstract: The Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) has evolved over the past 60 years, beginning with the Antarctic Treaty itself, overcoming various internal and external challenges. However, since the Protocol on Environmental Protection came into effect, the adoption of binding environmental protection measures has been significantly delayed, raising concerns and distrust regarding the governance capacity of the ATS. Amid the global climate crisis, the delay in urgent environmental protection measures for safeguarding the Antarctic environment can be attributed to certain consultative parties exercising their veto power annually. This is rooted in the U.S.-China global rivalry extending to Antarctica, conflicts among consultative parties within the system, and different views held by countries like China and Russia on protection proposals by claimant states whose territorial claims were frozen under the Antarctic Treaty. These factors are destabilizing the foundations of the ATS, heightening fears that the treaty may disband due to external pressures and internal conflicts. In the Ross Sea, where the Republic of Korea's Jang Bogo Station, the United States' McMurdo Station, New Zealand's Scott Base, and Italy's Mario Zucchelli Station are already operational, China established its fifth Antarctic station earlier this year. This development has transformed the Ross Sea into a strategic geopolitical hotspot for competing global powers. With the global climate crisis and China's increasing presence intensifying the region, Korea, which has expanded its Antarctic activities, now faces a critical juncture to reflect on its strategic direction for Antarctic activities that serve both national interests and the advancement of the ATS.

Adaptive Foraging Strategies of Adelie Penguins in the Ross Sea Region: Balancing Chick Feeding and Body Condition in Changing Marine Environments.

2025-10-28T09:10:50Z

Title: Adaptive Foraging Strategies of Adelie Penguins in the Ross Sea Region: Balancing Chick Feeding and Body Condition in Changing Marine Environments. Authors: Kim, Youmin; Kim, Jong-U; Oh, Younggeun; Park, Jinku; Lee, Kyungho; Kim, Hyun-cheol; Kim, Jeong-Hoon Abstract: Breeding seabirds are required to balance between feeding their chicks and maintaining their body condition. Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae), a keystone species of the Antarctic ecosystem, have foraging behavioral flexibility that depends on the marine environment and individual qualities. This study collected tracking data and weight measurements from 47 brooding penguins during two breeding seasons at Cape Hallett (72°19´S, 170°12´E), Ross Sea. In 2021, the breeding season with a high sea ice concentration, penguins had lower body weights during the early guarding period compared to the body weights of the penguins in 2022. Penguins performed three types of foraging trips - ice hole trips, ice edge trips, and pack ice trips―during the 2021 breeding season. However, in the season characterized by a low sea ice concentration (2022), most of the foraging trips were pack ice trips. Furthermore, penguins performed relatively shorter pack ice trips and had lower foraging efforts than they did in 2021. On the other hand, we found that penguins with higher initial weights lost more weight, where for every additional 1 kg of weight, individuals lost 360 g more during the tracking period. We suggest that penguins use selective foraging strategies to adapt to their situation. Additionally, they regulate their food intake for raising chicks based on their body condition. In summary, our findings suggest mechanisms for Adelie penguins to determine foraging strategies and food allocation according to the marine environment and their body condition.

Underwater soundscape in Seaview Bay, Antarctica, and triple ascending trill of the leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) underwater vocalizations

2025-10-30T02:58:17Z

Title: Underwater soundscape in Seaview Bay, Antarctica, and triple ascending trill of the leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) underwater vocalizations Authors: Han Dong-Gyun; Choi Jee Woong; Kim, Jong-U; Kim, Jeong-Hoon; La, Hyoung Sul Abstract: The underwater soundscape was recorded in Seaview Bay off Inexpressible Island, Ross Sea region Marine protected area, for 3 days in December 2021. Leopard seal Hydrurga leptonyx vocalizations were a prominent sound source that led to variations in ambient sound pressure levels in a frequency range of approximately 150-4500 Hz. Among the 14 call types previously identified, except ultrasound vocalizations, six types of broadcast calls were classified, and their acoustic characteristics were analyzed. We focused on the acoustic characteristics of four low-frequency calls, clustered in a relatively narrow bandwidth, which have been relatively less studied. We identified a new call type of a triple ascending trill consisting of three trill parts, expanding upon the findings of previous studies. The audio data extracted from leopard seal vocalization videos, recorded by a monitoring camera on sea ice, enhanced the reliability of identifications of the underwater triple ascending trill. We present the unique results of underwater passive acoustic monitoring conducted at Seaview Bay, designated as Antarctic Specially Protected Area No 178. Our results could contribute to the development of detection and localization algorithms for leopard seal vocalizations and can be used as fundamental data for studies related to the vocalization and behavior of this species. Identify a new call of the leopard seal, the triple ascending trill, in the RSR MPA.image

Spatial Distribution Pattern of the Mesozooplankton Community in Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area (RSR MPA) during Summer

2025-10-27T04:22:26Z

Title: Spatial Distribution Pattern of the Mesozooplankton Community in Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area (RSR MPA) during Summer Authors: Kim, Sung Hoon; Son, Wuju; Kim, Jeong-Hoon; La, Hyoung Sul Abstract: The Ross Sea region Marine Protected Area (RSR MPA) is one of the most productive regions in the Southern Ocean. Mesozooplankton intermediates the primary product to the higher predators, such as penguins and seals, in this ecosystem. In this study, the mesozooplankton community structure and spatial pattern in the RSR MPA in January were investigated by using 505 mu m-mesh-size bongo net samples. As a result, 37 mesozooplankton taxa with a total mean abundance of 35.26 ind./m3, ranging from 2.94 to 139.17 ind./m3, were confirmed. Of the 37 taxa, 7 occupied almost 84% of the total abundance, with copepods being the main dominant taxa. As shown by our hierarchical analysis, the mesozooplankton community was divided into four groups, each associated with a specific geographical distribution. Group A was composed of stations around Terra Nova Bay and showed relatively low abundance. Group B included stations around the continental slope region. Group D was composed of the Ross Sea continental shelf stations, while group C consisted of stations geographically located between those of groups B and D. These four groups were influenced by various environmental factors, such as water temperature, salinity, and nutrients. In summary, the mesozooplankton community can be separated according to geographical pattern. This pattern is related to several environmental factors.