A circumpolar monitoring framework for polar bears

• DOI: 10.2192/ursus-d-11-00026.1
• Publication Date: 2013-01-16T18:53:49Z
• Authors: Dag Vongraven; Jon Aars; Steve Amstrup; Stephen N. Atkinson; Stanislav Belikov; Erik W. Born; Terry D. DeBruyn; Andrew E. Derocher; George Durner; Mike Gill; Nick Lunn; Martyn E. Obbard; Jack Omelak; Nikita Ovsyanikov; Elizabeth Peacock; Evan Richardson; Vicki Sahanatien; Ian Stirling; Øystein Wiig
• Keywords: Ursus maritimus; Circumpolar star; Marine ecosystem

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) occupy remote regions that are characterized by harsh weather and limited access. bear populations can only persist where temporal spatial availability of sea ice provides adequate access to their marine mammal prey. Observed declines in will continue as long greenhouse gas concentrations rise. At the same time, human intrusion pollution levels Arctic expected increase. A circumpolar understanding cumulative impacts current future stressors is lacking, long-term trends known from a few subpopulations, there no globally coordinated effort monitor effects stressors. Here, we describe framework for an integrated monitoring plan detect ongoing patterns, predict trends, identify most vulnerable polar subpopulations. We recommend strategies subpopulation abundance reproduction, survival, ecosystem change, human-caused mortality, human–bear conflict, prey availability, health, stature, distribution, behavioral itself may have on bears. assign intensity each through adaptive assessment quality existing baseline data research accessibility. global perspective achieved recommending high at least one four major ecoregions. Collection harvest, it occurs, sensing habitat, should occur with all outline how local traditional knowledge effectively be combined best scientific methods provide comparable complementary lines evidence. also previously collected intensive sub-sampled guide sampling frequencies develop indirect estimates or indices status. Adoption this inform management policy responses changing worldwide status trends.