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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason polar bears have been placed on the endangered species list?

  • Lack of food sources
  • Increased predation from other species
  • Loss of habitat due to human activity and climate change (correct)
  • Inability to adapt to warmer temperatures
  • How do polar bears cope during food-sparse months?

  • By switching diets to include vegetation
  • By entering a state of hibernation
  • By migrating to warmer regions
  • By building up a fat reserve (correct)
  • What has significantly increased the rate of climate change affecting polar bears?

  • Natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis
  • Increased human activity and global development (correct)
  • Natural climate cycles
  • Reduced sea ice extent
  • What happens to polar bears that find themselves stranded on sections of ice shelf?

    <p>They often starve or float into dangerous waters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one adaptation that helps polar bears survive in the Arctic environment?

    <p>A thick layer of insulating fat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the melting ice shelf affect polar bears' hunting capabilities?

    <p>It reduces their ability to hunt their usual prey.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact does the earlier thawing of the ice shelf have on polar bear mating?

    <p>It shortens the time available for mating.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Dr. Nikita Ovsyaniov's main concern regarding polar bears?

    <p>They are struggling to survive due to climate change and human activity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do the major polar bear countries play in conservation efforts?

    <p>They are working towards a worldwide consensus to slow down human impact.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are polar bears being forced further inland?

    <p>Due to the melting ice shelf disrupting their lifecycle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Conservation Overview

    • Polar bears classified as endangered due to human activity and climate change.
    • Norwegian scientists warn of species loss in Polar Regions without meaningful climate action.

    Polar Bear Habitat and Survival

    • Polar bears thrive in the Arctic environment, relying on ice shelves for hunting seals.
    • Rising temperatures over the last 50 years have led to habitat loss and reduced hunting periods.
    • As ice melts, polar bears are forced to move inland, impacting their ability to hunt and find shelter.

    Melting Ice Crisis

    • The ice shelf is melting earlier in spring and forming later in autumn, reducing time for polar bears to build winter fat reserves.
    • This alteration also shortens the mating season (April/May) for polar bears.

    Lifecycle Disruption

    • Pregnant females prepare dens near ice shelves in September; cubs, typically two, are born in December and rely on mothers for up to three years.
    • Enhanced ice melting stresses polar bears' lifecycle and pushes them into human-populated areas.

    Expert Insight

    • Dr. Nikita Ovsyaniov, a polar bear expert, notes a significant decline in polar bear populations and emphasizes human activity as a major threat.
    • His 45 years of observation highlight the unprecedented struggle of polar bears against climate change.

    Conservation Efforts

    • Five major polar bear nations (USA, Canada, Russia, Denmark, Norway) have signed a conservation agreement.
    • A global consensus is crucial to slow climate change and protect polar bears and their habitat from extinction.

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    Description

    This quiz explores the impact of climate change on polar bears, detailing their endangered status and the threats posed by habitat loss. Learn about their reliance on Arctic ice for survival and how melting ice affects their lifecycle and hunting patterns.

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