Polar bear and walrus response to the rapid decline in Arctic sea ice

Oakley, K.; Whalen, M.; Douglas, D.; Udevitz, M.; Atwood, T.; Jay, C.

Abstract:

The Arctic is warming faster than other regions of the world due to positive climate feedbacks associated with loss of snow and ice. One highly visible consequence has been a rapid decline in Arctic sea ice over the past 3 decades - a decline projected to continue and result in ice-free summers likely as soon as 2030. The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) and the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) are dependent on sea ice over the continental shelves of the Arctic Ocean‘s marginal seas. The continental shelves are shallow regions with high biological productivity, supporting abundant marine life within the water column and on the sea floor. Polar bears use sea ice as a platform for hunting ice seals; walruses use sea ice as a resting platform between dives to forage for clams and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates. How have sea ice changes affected polar bears and walruses? How will anticipated changes affect them in the future?

Genre:

USGS Numbered Series

ProdID:

70040727

Citation Author:

Oakley, K.; Whalen, M.; Douglas, D.; Udevitz, M.; Atwood, T.; Jay, C.

Citation Contributing Office:

Alaska Science Center

Citation Datum:

Citation Day:

Citation Edition:

Citation Editor:

Citation End Page:

Citation Issue:

Citation Keywords:

Citation Language:

English

Citation Larger Work Title:

Citation LatN:

90.0

Citation LatS:

51.2

Citation LonE:

65.7

Citation LonW:

157.7

Citation Month:

Citation No Pagination:

Citation Number Of Pages:

Citation Online Only Flag:

Citation Phsyical Description:

4 p.

Citation Projection:

Citation Public Comments:

Changing Arctic Ecosystems

Citation Publisher:

U.S. Geological Survey

Citation Series:

Fact Sheet

Citation Series Code:

Citation Series Number:

2012-3131

Citation Search Results Text:

Polar bear and walrus response to the rapid decline in Arctic sea ice; 2012; FS; 2012-3131; Oakley, K.; Whalen, M.; Douglas, D.; Udevitz, M.; Atwood, T.; Jay, C.

Citation Start Page:

Citation Volume:

Citation Year:

2012

Type:

citation/reference

Text:

Polar bear and walrus response to the rapid decline in Arctic sea ice; 2012; FS; 2012-3131; Oakley, K.; Whalen, M.; Douglas, D.; Udevitz, M.; Atwood, T.; Jay, C.