Mapping Application for Penguin Populations and Projected Dynamics (MAPPPD): Data and tools for dynamic management and decision support

Adaptive feedback management is a core component of the ecosystem based management approach that is being implemented by the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and Antarctic Treaty System (ATS). The Mapping Application for Penguin Populations and Projected Dynamics (MAPPPD) is a web-based, open access, decision support tool that would greatly assist meeting the management objectives as set forth by CCAMLR and other components of the ATS (i.e., Consultative Meetings and the ATS Committee on Environmental Protection). The database underlying MAPPPD includes all available (published and unpublished) data on the four Sphenisciforme penguins (Emperor; Aptenodytes forsteri; gentoo; Pygoscelis papua; Chinstrap; P. antarcticus; and Adélie penguins; P. adelieae) for the region south of 60° S. A Bayesian population model integrates the available data to develop estimates of abundance for each site and for each year since 1979; estimates are easily aggregated across multiple sites to obtain abundance estimates over any user-defined area of interest. A front-end web interface located at www.penguinmap.com provides easy access to the data, with a web based map that allows users to select individual or groups of site(s) using polygons or text searches. Once selected, population data from the model (including future forecasts) are displayed and made available for download. Users can also generate a PDF report that summarizes the data for the sites selected from the application. MAPPPD provides free and ready access to the most recent count and modeled data, and can act as a facilitator for data transfer between Antarctic stakeholders to help inform management decisions for the continent.