A polar bear swimming in the ice-free Arctic has become a symbol of how global warming is impacting wildlife. However, polar bears in the Barents Sea region, north of Norway, are faring well despite decades of melting sea ice and increased ice-free days. New research published in Scientific Reports reveals that this specific subpopulation of polar bears is adapting to the changing environment.
Experts, including Andrew Derocher from the University of Alberta, note that the bears in the Barents Sea are managing to find enough food to survive despite the lack of sea ice. This adaptation showcases the variability within animal populations in response to climate change. While some species may benefit from changing conditions, experts caution that this success may only be temporary, and further sea ice loss could still have devastating effects on polar bears.
The research, based on live captures of bears in the Svalbard archipelago from 1995 to 2019, provides insights into the health and conditions of polar bears in the region. The study involved monitoring 770 bears through capture-mark-and-recapture expeditions, which help assess body condition and overall health.
Despite facing earlier sea ice breakup and longer ice-free periods after 2005, polar bears in the Svalbard area have managed to maintain their body conditions. Experts attribute this resilience to the bears’ ability to diversify their diet, including consuming prey such as walruses, bird eggs, and whale carcasses, which are more accessible in the region. This alternative food source reduces the energy expended by polar bears in hunting, contributing to their survival.
While the Barents Sea polar bears show signs of adaptation, experts emphasize that not all polar bear populations are faring as well. Canadian polar bears, for example, are experiencing declining body conditions, survival rates, and reproduction due to sea ice loss. The long-term outlook for polar bears remains uncertain, with the continued impact of climate change posing a significant threat to their survival.
As researchers continue to study polar bear populations, they acknowledge the challenges posed by changing environmental conditions and the need for conservation efforts to protect these iconic Arctic animals.
