Upwelling
Definition
Upwelling is an oceanographic process in which cold, nutrient-rich water rises from the deep ocean to the surface, typically driven by wind patterns or the shape of the coastline. These nutrient plumes fuel phytoplankton blooms that support the entire food web, from zooplankton to krill to fish to penguins. The Humboldt Current off South America and the Benguela Current off southern Africa are two major upwelling systems that sustain Humboldt, Magellanic, and African penguin populations. When upwelling weakens during El Nino events, penguin prey crashes and breeding success plummets.
Related Terms
Krill are small, shrimp-like crustaceans (order Euphausiacea) that form the dietary backbone of many penguin species, particularly in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters.
Pelagic refers to the open ocean environment, far from shore and the sea floor.
El Nino is a periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean that disrupts global weather patterns.
Related Species
Species where upwelling is especially relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does upwelling mean in penguin biology?
Upwelling is an oceanographic process in which cold, nutrient-rich water rises from the deep ocean to the surface, typically driven by wind patterns or the shape of the coastline. These nutrient plumes fuel phytoplankton blooms that support the entire food web, from zooplankton to krill to fish to penguins. The Humboldt Current off South America and the Benguela Current off southern Africa are two major upwelling systems that sustain Humboldt, Magellanic, and African penguin populations. When upwelling weakens during El Nino events, penguin prey crashes and breeding success plummets.
Keep learning
Glossary entries define the language. FAQ answers common questions; guides carry the longer Survival Lab arguments.
More in ecologyWhere this definition comes from
Reference bodies behind the ecology terminology. Links last checked August 5, 2026.
- NOAA Fisheries - Marine food webs, climate, and ocean ecosystem context.
- British Antarctic Survey - Antarctic penguin ecology, diving, and sea-ice context.
- BirdLife Data Zone - Species accounts, distribution, and population summaries.