Effects of sea ice extent and food availability on spatial and temporal distribution of polar bears during the fall open-water period in the Southern Beaufort Sea

S. Schliebe; K. D. Rode; J. S. Gleason; J. Wilder; K. Proffitt; T. J. Evans; S. Miller

doi:10.1007/s00300-008-0439-7

Polar Biology

July 2008, Volume 31, Issue 8, pp 999–1010

Effects of sea ice extent and food availability on spatial and temporal distribution of polar bears during the fall open-water period in the Southern Beaufort Sea

Authors
Authors and affiliations

S. Schliebe
K. D. RodeEmail author
J. S. Gleason
J. Wilder
K. Proffitt
T. J. Evans
S. Miller

Original Paper

First Online:: 27 March 2008

Received:: 07 August 2007
Revised:: 29 February 2008
Accepted:: 09 March 2008

DOI: 10.1007/s00300-008-0439-7

Cite this article as:: Schliebe, S., Rode, K.D., Gleason, J.S. et al. Polar Biol (2008) 31: 999. doi:10.1007/s00300-008-0439-7

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Abstract

We investigated the relationship between sea ice conditions, food availability, and the fall distribution of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in terrestrial habitats of the Southern Beaufort Sea via weekly aerial surveys in 2000–2005. Aerial surveys were conducted weekly during September and October along the Southern Beaufort Sea coastline and barrier islands between Barrow and the Canadian border to determine polar bear density on land. The number of bears on land both within and among years increased when sea-ice was retreated furthest from the shore. However, spatial distribution also appeared to be related to the availability of subsistence-harvested bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) carcasses and the density of ringed seals (Phoca hispida) in offshore waters. Our results suggest that long-term reductions in sea-ice could result in an increasing proportion of the Southern Beaufort Sea polar bear population coming on land during the fall open-water period and an increase in the amount of time individual bears spend on land.

Keywords

Polar bearsSea iceDistributionBear density

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Authors and Affiliations

S. Schliebe
- 1
K. D. Rode
- 1
Email author
J. S. Gleason
- 2
- 3
J. Wilder
- 1
K. Proffitt
- 1
- 4
T. J. Evans
- 1
S. Miller
- 1

1.Marine Mammals ManagementU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceAnchorageUSA
2.Environmental Studies SectionU.S. Minerals Management ServiceAnchorageUSA
3.Kulm Wetland Management DistrictU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceKulmUSA
4.Department of EcologyMontana State UniversityBozemanUSA

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Effects of sea ice extent and food availability on spatial and temporal distribution of polar bears during the fall open-water period in the Southern Beaufort Sea

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