Alaska Science Center


USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems: Enhancing forecasts of polar bear and walrus population response to a rapidly changing Arctic ecosystem

This theme of projects is focused on studies that will enhance the forecasting of polar bear and walrus population responses to a rapidly changing Arctic ecosystem.

Abstract


This theme of studies focuses on the marine-sea ice-dominated ecosystem of the Arctic where sea ice extent and structure is undergoing rapid change. Sea ice is both a critical platform for wildlife species to access food and to complete critical components of their life cycle and exerts a strong influence on pelagic and benthic food webs. The emphasis of the theme is on two species dependent on the sea ice environment – polar bear and Pacific walrus. Documentation of the response of these two species to sea ice change will allow for a more holistic understanding of how projected changes in physical processes linked to sea ice change will be expressed through ecosystem processes to other top consumers. Because both species are currently showing an increasing use of terrestrial habitats, this theme will also incorporate science to support forecasts of change in key terrestrial habitats in addition to the present sea ice habitat focus of the evolving Bayesian models for both species. Conceptual elements for Theme I are outlined in Figure 3a and will focus initially on two major areas of investigation to improve the existing Bayesian Models: (1) assess and project polar bear and walrus habitat quality, availability and preferences, and (2) assess and project polar bear and walrus population dynamics in response to habitat.
Products
Title Type
Pathogen Exposure Data for Chukchi Sea Polar Bears 1988-1994 and 2008-2017Data
Variation in the response of an Arctic top predator experiencing habitat loss: feeding and reproductive ecology of two polar bear populationsPublication
Fatty Acid Composition of Polar Bear Adipose Tissue and Ringed and Bearded Seal Blubber Collected in the Chukchi Sea, 2008-2017Data
Serum Urea and Creatinine Levels of Spring-Caught Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) in the Southern Beaufort and Chukchi SeasData

Contacts

Atwood, Todd C., 907-786-7061
Durner, George M., 907-786-7082
Rode, Karyn D., 907-786-7106

Status: completed
Start Year: 2010
End Year: 2019

Collaborators
FWS - Marine Mammals Management - Alaska Region

USGS Mission Area and Program
EcosystemsWildlife Program

Major Initiatives
USGS - Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative