Changes
As individuals polar bears can adapt to subtle changes, but specie adaptation isn't possible because climate change is to great.
Changes happening now:
-3 are stable
-1 is increasing
-5 were stable
-2 were increasing
*wasn't enough data to determine the fate of the other seven sub-populations.
Future:
Changes happening now:
- Researchers have reported that in the Hudson Bay fewer cubs have been born.
- In 2009 the IUCN Polar Bear Specialist group reported that*:
-3 are stable
-1 is increasing
- Compared to in 2005 they reported that*:
-5 were stable
-2 were increasing
*wasn't enough data to determine the fate of the other seven sub-populations.
- Cubs have no been reaching previous adult weights.
- Polar bear populations in the Southern Hudson Bay region have been declining and in the past two decades the average body weight has been decreasing by 20%.
- In some areas polar bears have been resorting to cannibalism.
- In 2007, 1.3 million sq. km. of ice in the Arctic melted.
- Experts in Canada found that male polar bears weigh 150 pounds less than they did thirty years ago.
- From 1970 to 2000 average temperatures in the Arctic increased 3.5 degrees, compared to .7 degrees worldwide.
- Summer ice loss now equals the size of Alaska, Texas, and Washington state combined.
Future:
- Scientists expect 2/3's of the polar bear population will disappear in fifty years.
- Most of the frozen portions of the Arctic may disappear by the end of the century.
- Scientists' statistics have indicated that polar bears may suffer extinction by 2100!
