Polar Bears and Climate Change

Evaluation is a series of WWF studies to assess the vulnerability of many species to the effects of climate change. We also recommend climate-adaptive management strategies for each species. See other species in the series

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is a typical representative of the impact of climate change on species, which is obvious. To date, global warming is the most obvious in the Arctic, and this trend is expected to continue. It is suggested that by the middle of this century, it will be Arctic region with few ice in the summer. This will increase the urgency of having to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and will delay or avoid some of the most serious impacts of climate change.

Polar bears have relatively high genetic diversity among species, can be dispersed over long distances, suggesting that they may have the ability to adapt to the constant change of the Arctic Circle ing.

However, they are very vulnerable to climate change, as they depend on sea ice. Polar bears are heavily dependent on sea ice for traveling, hunting, mating, resting, and in some areas, the mother's hive. In particular, they rely heavily on prey to rely on sea ice like rings and beard seals. In addition, their long generation and low fertility rates may limit their ability to accommodate environmental changes.

The priority of polar bear protection for climate knowledge should include the identification and protection of the "final ice belt" expected to protect the Arctic Circle of the Sea Ice at the furthest time. It is also important to monitor the polar bear population, especially to strengthen the reduction of sea ice. Polar bears spend more time on land, so we need to prepare to cope with the increased conflict between humans and polar bears.

Exposure: degree to which changes and changes in climate are encountered and expected by species

Other threats: Other relevant threats and human response to climate change, exacerbating these threats

Polar bear is one of the most dangerous marine mammals due to climate change. The biggest problem of polar bears on climate change is the melting of ice due to the rise in temperature. Polar bears lose their habitat and food source as the ice melts. Polar bears are known to eat more than 80 species of animals, but most of their diets are made up of seals, which are also threatened by global warming. Polar bears are getting more and more water because they are tired because they need to swim further to find ice and prey.

The main threat of polar bears is the loss of sea ice habitat due to climate change. As that particular scientific name (Ursus maritimus) shows, polar bears are actually marine mammals spending much more time on the sea than on land. Climate change is a serious threat to its happiness because the Arctic ice survives on the Arctic ice. Polar bears are affected by climate change in several ways. The population is decreasing. In the southern part of Canada's Hudson Bay there are no sea ice in the summer and polar bears must live on the ground until the bay freezes in autumn. On summer land, these bears will eat little or nothing at all. In only 20 years, the Husband Bay ice free period increased by an average of 20 days, shortening the searches for polar bear seals by about three weeks.

Polar bears live on cold Arctic glaciers and sea ice. When sea ice forms the ocean during the cold season, in addition to pregnant women, many polar bears go to ice and go hunting seals. Polar bears mainly eat seals. Polar bears sometimes lie quietly in the frozen breathing holes and wait for the sealing to water to surface. Polar bears can also hunt under the ice while swimming. However, climate change makes it harder to kill polar bears. Ice melts faster and reforms than before. Without sea ice, polar bears must clean up other nutritious foods.