Fast Ice
Definition
Fast ice is sea ice that is anchored ("fastened") to the coastline, ice shelves, or the sea floor and does not move with winds or currents. Emperor penguins breed almost exclusively on stable fast ice, which must persist from egg-laying in autumn through chick-rearing in spring — roughly nine months. If fast ice breaks up prematurely, entire cohorts of chicks can be lost before they are waterproof enough to survive in the ocean. Monitoring fast-ice stability is therefore a key indicator for predicting emperor penguin breeding success.
Related Terms
A polynya is an area of persistent open water surrounded by sea ice, maintained by wind, ocean currents, or upwelling warm water.
Sea ice extent refers to the total area of ocean covered by sea ice at a given time, and it is one of the most important environmental variables for Antarctic penguin species.
Related Species
Species where fast ice is especially relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does fast ice mean in penguin biology?
Fast ice is sea ice that is anchored ("fastened") to the coastline, ice shelves, or the sea floor and does not move with winds or currents. Emperor penguins breed almost exclusively on stable fast ice, which must persist from egg-laying in autumn through chick-rearing in spring — roughly nine months. If fast ice breaks up prematurely, entire cohorts of chicks can be lost before they are waterproof enough to survive in the ocean. Monitoring fast-ice stability is therefore a key indicator for predicting emperor penguin breeding success.