Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)
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| https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/07/150703085252.htm |
Overview
The Polar Bear was listed as a vulnerable endangered species in May of 2008. Polar Bears are among the few mammals able to survive in the harsh arctic environments. With the increase in the global temperature, caused by an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, and the diminishment in arctic ice, the Polar Bears' habitat is greatly threatened. The most important method for conserving Polar Bears is to address and reverse the effects of Global Warming. Diminishing sea ice is not the only threat to this species, illegal hunting, plastic and water pollution, boat strikings, and the illegal fur trade also contribute to their demise. Along with combatting global warming, the current United States Recovery Plan emphasizes management and conservation practices that limit the other threats to the Polar Bears.
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| https://phys.org/news/2017-01-unlucky-polar-toxins.html |
About Polar Bears
Polar Bears are classified as marine mammals because they spend most of their lives near the ocean or on the sea ice. They are approximately six to nine feet tall and can weigh from 800 to 1,300 pounds. They have a thick layer of body fat as well as a water resistant coat, which allows them to thrive in the harsh arctic environment. They mainly reside in the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, Russia, Greenland, and Norway.
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| https://polarbearscience.com/2013/08/18/ polar-bears-have-not-been-harmed -by-sea-ice-declines-in-summer-the-evidence/ |
The Polar Bear population is divided into nineteen subunits, with at least three subunit population in drastic decline. The Polar Bear population has declined over 40% in last twenty years and the current population is between 22,000 and 31,000 worldwide. The primary reason for their decline in population is due to diminishing Arctic sea ice and being forced to move into warmer environments.
Recovery Plan
In order to save these threatened animals global change must occur. Reversing the effects of global warming is not an easy task. No one country can save these animals, but we can try. The United States current conservation management plan involves reducing other threats to these species besides climate change. By limiting illegal harvesting, habitat destruction, and water contamination we can preserve what little Polar Bears we have left. The current Recovery Plan is divided into six fundamental goals: preserving the species as a part of the ecosystem, preserving the genetic and behavioral diversity of the species, preserving United States Alaskan Polar Bear population, educating indigenous peoples about the health and well-being of the Polar Bears, limiting Polar Bear and human interactions, and minimizing Polar Bear migrations into warmer habitats.
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| https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/p/polar-bear/ |
1. Reduce your of carbon footprint by: carpooling, taking the bus, riding your bike, or walking when applicable.
2. Limit purchasing of highly packaged foods and products.
3. Buy food locally.
4. Reuse and recycle as much as possible.
5. Purchase clean energy appliances and light bulbs.
6. Do not support the Polar Bear fur trade.
6. Do not support the Polar Bear fur trade.
Calculate your Carbon Footprint and ways to limit consumption here:
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| https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/07/140717-polar-bears-goose-eggs-global-warming-arctic-environment/ |
Anna Donaldson - California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo - Bio 227 - 05 Nov 2017
Sources
https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/polar-bear
https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/polar-bear-population-decline-a-wake-up-call-for-climate-change-action
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/07/140717-polar-bears-goose-eggs-global-warming-arctic-environment/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/p/polar-bear/
https://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/PBRT%20Recovery%20Plan%20Book.FINAL.signed.pdf
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/07/140717-polar-bears-goose-eggs-global-warming-arctic-environment/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/p/polar-bear/
https://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/PBRT%20Recovery%20Plan%20Book.FINAL.signed.pdf
Seeing how fast polar bear populations have declined due to climate change was shocking. Since the recovery plan seems to deal a lot with climate change hopefully they are able to do the steps necessary to save the polar bears.
ReplyDelete-Marina Enriquez
ReplyDeleteI did not know that demand for polar bear furs still threatened this species. Most people I know would consider killing a polar bear for its fur cruel. Hopefully conservation efforts change the minds of people who still think otherwise. Also, correcting global warming would help a number of species beyond just the polar bear.
ReplyDelete- Kyla Cooper
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about the polar bears, but was shocked to read that "legal" trade in skin and animal parts threaten the species. We learned about how global climate change affects this species, but I'm interested to learn where there the legal trade pertaining to polar bears occurs.
ReplyDelete-Erika DiLeva