Ecology of polar bears in changing climate

北极熊赖以生存的海冰栖息地很容易受到预计的气候变化的影响。海冰范围、持续时间、厚度和积雪的减少不仅会显著影响北极熊的繁殖成功率、觅食、迁移模式和生存率，还会影响它们的海洋哺乳动物猎物。这项研究的目的是确定影响人口动态（出生，死亡，移民和移民）的潜在生态过程，这些过程决定了北极熊丰度的变化。它涉及到北极熊的生活史组成部分的调查和发展的定量描述之间的联系，他们的生活史和气候，海冰和猎物。研究活动建立在3个种群（博福特海，福克斯盆地和W。哈德逊湾）。该项目涉及4个核心领域的重大创新：1）通过卫星跟踪结合卫星冰图像评估气候和海冰状况对北极熊运动的空间和时间模式的影响。2)海冰条件年际变化对表型度量、生活史特征和种群动态的影响。3)北极熊牙齿牙骨质沉积的研究及从牙环宽度推断的生活史事件。4)将使用生理参数（如血清尿素/血清肌酐水平、血瘦素和触珠蛋白）评估空腹/进食动力学和健康状况。该项目将产生关于北极熊与其环境之间关系的定量数据，可用于预测未来对气候变化的生态反应。 北极熊是一种对北方社区具有重要文化、社会和经济意义的物种。加拿大还致力于在签署《北极熊国际协定》（1973年）的基础上继续对北极熊进行研究。该项目收集的信息将直接影响加拿大北极地区北极熊和其他海洋哺乳动物的管理和保护工作。该项目与地区和联邦政府机构密切协调，并将结果提供给当地猎人和设陷阱者组织及其一体化机构。

The sea ice habitat upon which polar bears depend is vulnerable to projected climate change. Reduction in sea ice extent, duration, thickness, and snow cover can significantly impact reproductive success, foraging, migration patterns, and survivorship not only of polar bears, but also of their marine mammal prey. The objective of this research is to identify the underlying ecological processes that affect population dynamics (births, deaths, immigration and emigration) that determine shifts in polar bear abundance. It involves the investigation of life history components of polar bears and the development of quantitative descriptions of the linkages between their life history and climate, sea ice, and prey. Research activities are established in 3 populations (Beaufort Sea, Foxe Basin, and W. Hudson Bay). The project involves significant innovation in 4 core areas: 1) Assessing the effects of climate and sea ice conditions on spatial and temporal patterns of polar bears movements via satellite tracking in conjunction with satellite ice imagery. 2) The effects of interannual variability in sea ice conditions on the phenotypic metrics, life history traits, and population dynamics. 3) Examination of cementum deposition in teeth collected from polar bears with inferences on life history events derived from annuli widths. 4) Use of physiological parameters such as serum urea/ serum creatinine levels, blood leptin, and haptoglobin will be used to assess fasting/feeding dynamics and health. The project will yield quantitative data on the relationship between polar bears and their environment that can be used to predict future ecological responses to climate change. Polar bears are a species of great cultural, social, and economic importance for northern communities. Canada is also committed to ongoing research on polar bears based on signing of the International Agreement on Polar Bears (1973). Information collected in this project will directly influence management and conservation efforts for polar bears and other marine mammals in the Canadian Arctic. The project is closely coordinate with territorial and federal government agencies and results are provided to local hunter and trapper organizations and their integrating agencies.