At-sea seabird censuses. Data on the species encountered (including marine mammals), their abundance, distribution and behavior. Data collected aboard cruises off the coast of the Western Antarctic Penninsula, 1993, 1999 and 2001.

The objectives of the LTER seabird component during the 92-93 season cruises were similar. These objectives included 1) determining the pelagic abundance and distribution of Adelie Penguins, 2) examining how the physical and biological characteristics of the marine environment influence these parameters and, 3) using these data to identify foraging areas that may be important to Adelie populations being studied as part of land-based work at Palmer Station. Secondary objectives included documenting the abundance and distribution of other seabirds and marine mammals within the LTER study area. The focus of the January cruise was the nearshore foraging habitat,which required sampling at smaller scales. All seabird censuses were thus conducted within approximately 100 kms of Palmer Station while traversing a sampling grid with stations at 10km intervals. The first two days (18-20 January) of this cruise were spent covering the selected grid as rapidly as possible resulting in 45 transects spaced at 45-60 minute intervals. There were no stops at the 10km stations during this Fast Grid phase. Upon completion of the Fast Grid, a force 12 gale suspended data collection for 24 hours. From January 22-25 the grid direction was reversed and the grid repeated. During this Slow Grid phase, 2-M net tows were done at 10km intervals and BOPS and 1-M and 2-M net tows every 20 km. All seabird censusesduring the cruise were done using the procedures outlined in theprevious paragraph.1992-1993航次期间，长期生态研究（Long Term Ecological Research，LTER）海鸟组分的研究目标大体一致。这些研究目标包括：1）明确阿德利企鹅（Adelie Penguins）的远洋种群丰度与空间分布格局；2）探究海洋环境的物理、生物特征对上述参数的影响机制；3）利用采集到的数据，划定帕尔默站（Palmer Station）陆基研究项目中所关注的阿德利企鹅种群的关键觅食区域。次要研究目标为记录LTER研究区内其他海鸟与海洋哺乳动物的丰度及分布情况。 本次1月航次的研究重点为近岸觅食生境，因此需开展小尺度采样作业。所有海鸟普查均在距帕尔默站约100公里的范围内开展，航船沿间隔为10公里的采样网格行进。本次航次的前两日（1月18日至20日）以最快速度完成选定网格的覆盖作业，共布设45条样线，样线间隔为45至60分钟。在“快速网格”阶段，航船未在10公里间隔的采样站点停靠。快速网格作业完成后，遭遇12级大风，数据采集工作暂停24小时。1月22日至25日，航船调转网格方向并重复采样流程。在“慢速网格”阶段，每间隔10公里开展1次2米级拖网作业，每间隔20公里开展1次底栖海洋剖面采样系统（Bathymetric Oceanographic Profiling System，BOPS）采样及1米级、2米级拖网作业。本次航次期间的所有海鸟普查均严格遵循前文所述的操作规范开展。