Annotated Bibliography: Polar Bears and Climate Change

This annotated bibliography examines the effects of climate change on polar bear populations, focusing on habitat loss and its consequences. The bibliography includes studies on the impact of sea ice decline on polar bear behavior, conservation efforts, and the effects of reduced prey availability. The sources include research papers and news articles that highlight the challenges polar bears face due to changing environmental conditions, and some of the proposed solutions. The studies analyze how polar bears are adapting to habitat changes and the implications for their long-term survival. The bibliography also includes the impact of pollution and human induced flank attack on polar bears. Furthermore, the studies suggest the need for global action to mitigate climate change and protect the arctic environment, as well as the need for improved monitoring and management practices to protect the species.

Annotated Bibliography:
Wilson, Ryan R., et al. "Invariant polar bear habitat selection during a period of sea ice
loss." Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 283.1836 (2016):
20160380.
The author indicated that climate change is expected to alter the habitat of many
species. The primary objective was to study the change in habitat selection of polar bears,
before and after widespread sea ice changes. Result revealed that the habitat selection pattern
of polar bear has not changed significantly. However, if the preys alter their places in
summer, polar bears also prefer to change habitats.
Laidre, Kristin L., et al. "Arctic marine mammal population status, sea ice habitat loss,
and conservation recommendations for the 21st century." Conservation Biology29.3
(2015): 724-737.
The author in this article specified that the arctic marine mammals are more likely to
suffer from the effects of climate change as they have close association with sea ice. The
author suggested the reduction of emissions as the primary solution to mitigate global
warming or climate change. In the article the author also recommended effective co-
management, improved monitoring and some legislation to protect the species in this regard.
Jenssen, Bjørn M., et al. "Anthropogenic flank attack on polar bears: interacting
consequences of climate warming and pollutant exposure." Frontiers in Ecology and
Evolution 3 (2015): 16.
In this article, the author discussed that one of the main effects of climate change for
the polar bears is limited access to the preys due to the loss of their sea ice habitat. Review of

several literatures in the study clearly indicated that climate induced loss of sea ice negatively
affected polar bears in some sub-populations.
Regehr, Eric V., et al. "Conservation status of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in relation
to projected sea-ice declines." Biology Letters 12.12 (2016): 20160556.
The article states that loss of arctic sea ice due to change in climate have become a
threat to the lives of the polar bears in arctic region. Polar bears highly depend on sea ice. The
study findings clearly indicated the large decline in the number of polar bears due to climate
change and loss of sea ice.
Leahy, Stephen. "Polar Bears Really Are Starving Because of Global Warming, Study
Shows." Latest Stories, 1 Feb. 2018, news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/polar-bears-
starve-melting-sea-ice-global-warming-study-beaufort-sea-environment/.
It is a video showing the change in the lives of polar bears along with the change in
climate. Polar bears depend on seals for food and the sea ice shrink by 14% per decade
according to the scientists due to which seals are changing their habitat and as a result polar
bears are nearly starving. Scientists suggested addressing climate change for the long-term
survival of the polar bears.