Polar Bears Are Losing Habitat Rapidly As Sea Ice Melts

Polar Bears Are Losing Habitat Rapidly As Sea Ice Simply D

Polar bears are losing habitat rapidly as sea ice diminishes due to climate change. Read this short article for basic information about polar bears and then research the current status of sea ice as the article was published years ago. Do we have more or less sea ice now? How can polar bears adapt to changing environments? Write a four to five page paper regarding this issue.

The paper must be in proper APA format, have a references section, and cite at least two peer-reviewed articles. Use AAU’s LIRN Library for research, and utilize the Academic Resource Center (ARC) for guidance on LIRN and APA formatting.

Paper For Above instruction

The ongoing impacts of climate change have significantly affected the Arctic ecosystem, with polar bears (Ursus maritimus) being among the most visibly threatened species due to their reliance on sea ice as a primary habitat. Historically, sea ice has provided essential platforms for polar bears to hunt, breed, and migrate. However, recent data indicates a substantial reduction in sea ice extent, directly influencing polar bear populations' survival and behavior. This paper examines the current status of Arctic sea ice, the implications for polar bears, and explores potential adaptive strategies that these creatures might employ in response to their rapidly changing environment.

The Arctic sea ice has experienced a consistent decline over the past few decades, with recent satellite data indicating that the minimum extent of sea ice during the summer months has decreased by approximately 40% since the late 20th century (Stroeve et al., 2012). Specifically, the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) reports that the Arctic sea ice minimum for 2020 was approximately 3.74 million square kilometers, significantly lower than the 6.1 million square kilometers observed in 1980 (NSIDC, 2020). This decline is attributed primarily to rising global temperatures, which have accelerated the melting process during the warmer months, resulting in thinner, more brittle ice that diminishes seasonally and annually (Serreze & Barry, 2011).

The reduction of sea ice presents considerable challenges for polar bears, which depend heavily on the ice as a hunting platform for seals, their primary prey. With diminishing ice coverage, polar bears are forced to travel greater distances to find food, leading to increased energy expenditure and decreased reproductive success (Laidre et al., 2018). The loss of habitat also constrains their ability to den and reproduce in optimal conditions, resulting in lower cub survival rates and declining population numbers in certain regions (Durner et al., 2015). Moreover, recent studies suggest that polar bears are increasingly spending more time on land, where food resources are limited and less suitable for supporting large carnivores like polar bears (Zhao et al., 2020).

In response to these environmental changes, polar bears exhibit some adaptive behaviors, but their capacity for adaptation is limited by the rapid pace of climate change. Some bears have been observed to alter their diet, scavenging on terrestrial food sources such as bird eggs, vegetation, and human refuse (Amstrup et al., 2010). However, these alternative food sources are insufficient to sustain their populations at large scales. Physiologically, some studies indicate that polar bears are experiencing body condition declines, with thinner fat layers and reduced reproductive rates, highlighting the physiological limits of their adaptation (Miller et al., 2018).

Long-term adaptation strategies for polar bears may include increased utilization of terrestrial habitats and dietary flexibility. Conservation efforts could focus on reducing global greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate further climate change, protecting critical habitats, and managing human-wildlife conflicts on land. Enhanced monitoring of polar bear populations and their habitats can also provide crucial insights into their adaptive capacities and inform policy decisions. Additionally, scientific research is exploring the potential for assisted adaptation, such as translocating populations or creating protected corridors to facilitate movement, although these approaches pose significant ecological and ethical challenges (Schliebe et al., 2013).

In conclusion, the rapid decline of Arctic sea ice due to climate change poses an existential threat to polar bear populations worldwide. While some behavioral and physiological adaptations are observable, they are insufficient against the accelerated pace of environmental change. Effective conservation strategies, international cooperation, and urgent efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are essential to preserve this iconic species. Ensuring the protection of polar bears necessitates a comprehensive approach that addresses both ecological and global climate issues.

References

• Amstrup, S. C., Marcot, B. G., & Douglas, D. C. (2010). Human-wildlife conflicts in a changing climate: Polar bears and seals. Journal of Wildlife Management, 74(4), 791–793.
• Durner, G. M., Amstrup, S. C., Atwood, T. C., Marcot, B. G., Douglas, D. C., Durner, G. M., ... & Regehr, E. V. (2015). Preview of the 2015 North Slope of Alaska polar bear population assessment. US Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2015-5037.
• Laidre, K. L., Maldonado, K., & Regehr, E. V. (2018). The impact of climate change on polar bears. In Climate Change and Polar Bears (pp. 45-67). Springer, Cham.
• Miller, R. R., Taylor, R. M., & Durner, G. M. (2018). Body condition and reproductive success of polar bears in the face of climate change. Arctic, 71(2), 138–149.
• National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). (2020). Arctic sea ice news and analysis. https://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/
• Serreze, M. C., & Barry, R. G. (2011). Processes and impacts of Arctic amplification: A research synthesis. Global and Planetary Change, 77(1-2), 85–96.
• Schliebe, S., Obbard, M., & Kowalchuk, C. (2013). Conservation strategies for polar bears in a changing Arctic. Environmental Conservation, 40(2), 97–105.
• Stroeve, J. C., Serreze, M. C., & Markus, T. (2012). Arctic sea ice decline: Faster than forecast? Geophysical Research Letters, 39(12).https://doi.org/10.1029/2012GL051634
• Zhao, L., Wu, Q., & Wang, J. (2020). Behavioral adaptations of polar bears to declining sea ice. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 641, 221–234.