Diet Estimates of Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears, 2004-2016

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: USGS Alaska Science Center - Polar Bear Research Program
Publication_Date: 20230911
Title: Diet Estimates of Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears, 2004-2016
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Anchorage, Alaska
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

Other_Citation_Details:

Suggested Citation: USGS Alaska Science Center - Polar Bear Research Program, 2023, Diet estimates of Southern Beaufort Sea polar bears, 2004-2016: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9JXZSUS

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/P9JXZSUS
Larger_Work_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center
Publication_Date: 1984
Title:

Response of Polar Bear Populations to a Rapidly Diminishing Sea Ice Environment

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: website
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Alaska Science Portal
Issue_Identification: 16

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Anchorage, Alaska
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

Other_Citation_Details:

This is a link to the broader USGS Alaska Science Center research project supported by these data. Users will find a description of the research project and links to associated reports, publications, and data products.

Online_Linkage: https://alaska.usgs.gov/portal/project.php?project_id=16

Description:

Abstract:

These were data collected from polar bears from the southern Beaufort Sea during the spring between 2004 and 2016. Data include individual bear identification, age and sex class, capture date, capture year, open water season lengths, melt season length, and diet composition (expressed as a percentage of prey species). These data were used to determine whether polar bear diets have recently changed or remained stable over time.

Purpose:

To characterize variation in Southern Beaufort Sea polar bear diets over time.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 2004
Ending_Date: 2016

Currentness_Reference: observed

Status:

Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned

Spatial_Domain:

Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Southern Beaufort Sea
Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -155.0792
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -135.0796
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 75.1821
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 69.0491

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Metadata Identifier
Theme_Keyword: USGS:ASC556

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: Biota
Theme_Keyword: Environment

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: NASA GCMD Earth Science Keyword Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: Animals/Vertebrates
Theme_Keyword: Mammals
Theme_Keyword: Carnivores
Theme_Keyword: Bears
Theme_Keyword: Species life history

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS CSA Biocomplexity Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: Marine mammals
Theme_Keyword: Body composition
Theme_Keyword: Diets
Theme_Keyword: Wildlife food habits

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: Wildlife
Theme_Keyword: Keystone species
Theme_Keyword: Marine ecosystems
Theme_Keyword: Coastal ecosystems
Theme_Keyword: Terrestrial ecosystems
Theme_Keyword: Health and disease

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: Polar bear
Theme_Keyword: Ursus maritimus
Theme_Keyword: Quantitative fatty acid signature analysis
Theme_Keyword: QFASA

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)
Place_Keyword: Alaska
Place_Keyword: Beaufort Sea

Taxonomy:

Keywords/Taxon:

Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Taxonomic_Keywords: Mammals
Taxonomic_Keywords: Carnivore

Taxonomic_System:

Classification_System/Authority:

Classification_System_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: ITIS Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Publication_Date: Unknown
Title: ITIS Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: online database
Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: ITIS-North America

Other_Citation_Details:

Taxonomic details retrieved September 6, 2023 from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System online database: https://www.itis.gov

Online_Linkage: https://www.itis.gov

Taxonomic_Procedures:

Species were identified by skilled observers in the field based on general appearance. Polar bears are easily distinguishable from other species by physical characteristics and habitat use patterns. In most cases, species was confirmed genetically.

Taxonomic_Completeness:

Taxonomy is complete for all samples. No voucher specimens were collected.

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Kingdom
Taxon_Rank_Value: Animalia
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Subkingdom
Taxon_Rank_Value: Bilateria
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Infrakingdom
Taxon_Rank_Value: Deuterostomia
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Phylum
Taxon_Rank_Value: Chordata
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Subphylum
Taxon_Rank_Value: Vertebrata
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Infraphylum
Taxon_Rank_Value: Gnathostomata
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Superclass
Taxon_Rank_Value: Tetrapoda
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Class
Taxon_Rank_Value: Mammalia
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Subclass
Taxon_Rank_Value: Theria
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Infraclass
Taxon_Rank_Value: Eutheria
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Order
Taxon_Rank_Value: Carnivora
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Suborder
Taxon_Rank_Value: Caniformia
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Family
Taxon_Rank_Value: Ursidae
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus
Taxon_Rank_Value: Ursus
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species
Taxon_Rank_Value: Ursus maritimus
Applicable_Common_Name: Polar Bear
Applicable_Common_Name: TSN: 180542

Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:

It is requested that the authors and the USGS Alaska Science Center be cited for any subsequent publications that reference this dataset.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing and Physical
Address: 4210 University Drive
City: Anchorage
State_or_Province: Alaska
Postal_Code: 99508
Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 907-786-7000
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: ascweb@usgs.gov

Data_Set_Credit:

Fatty acid estimates were derived in the McKinney Laboratory at the University of Connecticut and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Work was conducted at the University of Connecticut from 2012 to 2016 and at McGill University from 2016-2020.

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Bourque, J.
Originator: Atwood, T.C.
Originator: Divoky, G.J.
Originator: Stewart, C.
Originator: McKinney, M.A.
Publication_Date: 2020
Title:

Fatty acid-based diet estimates suggest ringed seal remain the main prey of southern Beaufort Sea polar bears despite recent use of onshore food resources

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Ecology and Evolution
Issue_Identification: 10(4):2093–2103

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: Wiley

Other_Citation_Details:

Bourque, J., Atwood, T.C., Divoky, G.J., Stewart, C., McKinney, M.A. 2020. Fatty acid-based diet estimates suggest ringed seal remain the main prey of southern Beaufort Sea polar bears despite recent use of onshore food resources. Ecology and Evolution 10(4):2093-2103 doi:10.1002/ece3.6043

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6043

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Watson, S.E.
Originator: McKinney, M.A.
Originator: Pindo, M.
Originator: Bull, M.J.
Originator: Atwood, T.C.
Originator: Hauffe, H.C.
Originator: Perkins, S E.
Publication_Date: 2021
Title:

Diet-driven mercury contamination is associated with polar bear gut microbiota

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Scientific Reports
Issue_Identification: 11:23372

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: Nature

Other_Citation_Details:

Watson, S.E., McKinney, M.A., Pindo, M., Bull, M.J., Atwood, T.C., Hauffe, H.C., Perkins, S.E. 2021. Diet-driven mercury contamination is associated with polar bear gut microbiota. Scientific Reports 11:23372 doi:10.1038/s41598-021-02657-6

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02657-6

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

Fatty acid based estimates of polar bear diets were derived at the McKinney Laboratory at the University of Connecticut and McGill University using well established methods including various laboratory quality control and assurance testing protocols as discussed in McKinney et al. (2017). Sea ice metrics (duration of the ice-free and melt seasons) were calculated following the methods described in McKinney et al. 2014.

Logical_Consistency_Report: Attribute values fall within expected ranges.
Completeness_Report: Data set is complete. No data were omitted.
Lineage:

Methodology:

Methodology_Type: Field
Methodology_Description:

Adipose tissues samples were collected from subadult and adult polar bears from Alaska's southern Beaufort Sea region in spring, 2004-2016. Adipose tissue samples were placed in a glass vial and into a cooler immediately after collection and later transferred to a -80 degree freezer for long-term storage.

Methodology:

Methodology_Type: Laboratory
Methodology_Description:

Fatty acid analysis was performed on polar bear adipose tissues, as well as homogenates of entire black guillemot eggs and nestlings. Diet estimates based on fatty acid signatures were determined via quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA; Iverson et al. 2004) using the QFASA package in R (McKinney et al. 2017, R Core Team 2018). Estimates from QFASA were adjusted using calibration coefficients (CC) from mink (Mustela vison) fed a marine diet. CC-corrected polar bear signatures were analyzed using the Kullback-Liebler distance measure (McKinney et al. 2017).

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: McKinney, M.A.
Originator: Atwood, T.C.
Originator: Iverson, S.J.
Originator: Peacock, E.
Publication_Date: 2017
Title:

Temporal Complexity of Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bear Diets During a Period of Increasing Land Use

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Ecosphere
Issue_Identification: 8(1):e01633

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: Wiley

Other_Citation_Details:

McKinney, M.A., Atwood, T.C., Iverson, S.J., Peacock, E., 2017. Temporal complexity of southern Beaufort Sea polar bear diets during a period of increasing land use. Ecosphere 8(1):e01633 doi:10.1002/ecs2.1633

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1633

Type_of_Source_Media: publication
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2017

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: McKinney et al 2017
Source_Contribution:

Laboratory Technique Citation: quantification of prey species in polar bear diets determined via fatty acid signatures.

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: McKinney, M.A.
Originator: Atwood, T.C.
Originator: Dietz, R.
Originator: Sonne, C.
Originator: Iverson, S.J.
Originator: Peacock, E.
Publication_Date: 2014
Title:

Validation of Adipose Lipid Content as a Body Condition Index for Polar Bears

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Ecology and Evolution
Issue_Identification: 4(4):516-527

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: Wiley

Other_Citation_Details:

McKinney, M.A., Atwood, T.C., Dietz, R., Sonne, C., Iverson, S.J., Peacock, E., 2014. Validation of adipose lipid content as a body condition index for polar bears. Ecology and Evolution 4(4):516-527 doi:10.1002/ece3.956

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.956

Type_of_Source_Media: publication
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2014

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: McKinney et al 2014
Source_Contribution: Method Citation: calculation of sea ice metrics.

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Iverson, S.J.
Originator: Field, C.
Originator: Bowen, W.D.
Originator: Blanchard, W.
Publication_Date: 2004
Title:

Quantitative Fatty Acid Signature Analysis: a New Method of Estimating Predator Diets.

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Ecological Monographs
Issue_Identification: 74(2):211-235

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: Wiley

Other_Citation_Details:

Iverson, S.J., Field, C., Bowen, W.D., Blanchard, W. 2004. Quantitative fatty acid signature analysis: a new method of estimating predator diets. Ecological Monographs 74(2):211-235. doi:10.1890/02-4105

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1890/02-4105

Type_of_Source_Media: publication
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2004

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Iverson et al 2004
Source_Contribution:

Laboratory Technique Citation: quantification of prey species in polar bear diets determined via fatty acid signatures.

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

Sea ice metrics (duration of the ice-free and melt seasons) were calculated following the methods described in McKinney et al. 2014.

Process_Date: Unknown

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: polarBear_dietSeaIce_southernBeaufort_atwood_2004-2016.csv
Entity_Type_Definition:

Table containing information on diet (percentage of prey detected via analysis of fatty acid signatures), sex and age class, and ice-free and melt season lengths for southern Beaufort Sea polar bears, 2004-2016. Presented in a Comma Separated Value (CSV) formatted table.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: BearID
Attribute_Definition:

Unique numerical identifier of each polar bear, assigned at the first capture or sampling occasion.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unique numerical identifier for each polar bear.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Year
Attribute_Definition: Year when polar bear was captured and sampled.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 2004
Range_Domain_Maximum: 2016
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Year (YYYY)

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Capture_date
Attribute_Definition: Date when polar bear was captured and sampled.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 2004-03-26
Range_Domain_Maximum: 2016-04-23
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Date (YYYY-MM-DD)

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Ageclass
Attribute_Definition: Determination of whether an individual was a subadult or adult.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Adult
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Determined to be 5 years of age or older.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Subadult
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Determined to be 2 to 4 years of age.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Sex
Attribute_Definition: Sex of polar bear.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Male
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Determined to be a male based on anatomy.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Female
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Determined to be a female based on anatomy.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: OW_50prct
Attribute_Definition:

Open-water season length, defined as the number of days over which 50% or less of the continental shelf was covered by sea ice.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 104
Range_Domain_Maximum: 158
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Days

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: OW_15prct
Attribute_Definition:

Open-water season length, defined as the number of days over which 15% or less of the continental shelf was covered by sea ice.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 37
Range_Domain_Maximum: 100
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Days

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Meltseason
Attribute_Definition:

Melt season length, defined as the number of days from the first measurable decline in sea ice concentration to the consistent increase in ice concentration over the continental shelf.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 115
Range_Domain_Maximum: 174
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Days

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Bearded_seal
Attribute_Definition:

Percentage of bearded seal in an individual's diet determined via quantitative fatty acid analysis.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.00
Range_Domain_Maximum: 98.44
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Percentage

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Ringed_seal
Attribute_Definition:

Percentage of ringed seal in an individual's diet determined via quantitative fatty acid analysis.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.00
Range_Domain_Maximum: 84.76
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Percentage

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Beluga_whale
Attribute_Definition:

Percentage of beluga whale in an individual's diet determined via quantitative fatty acid analysis.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.00
Range_Domain_Maximum: 84.15
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Percentage

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Bowhead_whale
Attribute_Definition:

Percentage of bowhead whale in an individual's diet determined via quantitative fatty acid analysis.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.00
Range_Domain_Maximum: 85.22
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Percentage

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Seabird_nestling
Attribute_Definition:

Percentage of seabird egg/nestling in an individual's diet determined via quantitative fatty acid analysis.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.00
Range_Domain_Maximum: 65.70
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Percentage

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing and Physical
Address: 4210 University Drive
City: Anchorage
State_or_Province: Alaska
Postal_Code: 99508
Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 907-786-7000
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: ascweb@usgs.gov

Resource_Description:

The U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center is the authoritative source and distributor of these data.

Distribution_Liability:

Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data for other purposes or on all computer systems, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Name: CSV
Format_Information_Content:

Data are distributed in a Zip package containing data in CSV format and FGDC metadata in XML and HTML formats.

File_Decompression_Technique:

Compression applied by the 7-Zip utility using the default compression level [5]. The Zip package can be decompressed and unpacked by open source or commercially available unzip tools.

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Online_Option:

Computer_Contact_Information:

Network_Address:

Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.5066/P9JXZSUS

Fees: None

Diet Estimates of Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears, 2004-2016

Metadata: