Scientists Identify a New Polar Bear Subpopulation
Lead Scientist Cate Collins shares insights on the incredible discovery of a new polar bear subpopulation in Southeast Greenland.
Southeast Greenland is remote, characterized by rugged mountains, vast glaciers, and an absence of human settlements. Despite its isolation, this region is home to a remarkable and unique population of polar bears. Unlike most polar bears, which depend on sea ice for hunting and survival, Southeast Greenland’s bears have adapted to an environment where sea ice is scarce for much of the year.
Polar bears in Northeast Greenland behave similarly to other populations, relying on annual sea ice that forms during the colder months to hunt seals. However, the Southeast Greenland bears face a different challenge. With the sea ice present only for a short period each year, these bears have adapted to new methods to survive. Rather than traveling vast distances to find sea ice, they stay in the fjords. Here, glaciers from the Greenland Ice Sheet end in the sea. Chunks of glacier break off – or calve – into the fjord waters. These floating pieces of glacial ice provide a critical platform for the polar bears to hunt seals.
Above is the Tingmiarmiut fjord in Southeast Greenland, part of the habitat for these polar bears. The left image shows the fjord in summer, while the right captures it in early spring. The white dots on the water are the floating pieces of glacial ice which the polar bears use to hunt seals.
Photo credit: NASA’s Earth Observatory.
A New Subpopulation
This extraordinary behaviour caught the attention of Dr. Kristin Laidre, a polar bear scientist who identified the uniqueness of the Southeast Greenland bears. But what sets them apart as a distinct subpopulation?
To be classified as a separate subpopulation, the bears needed to meet two key criteria: physical isolation and genetic distinctiveness the Northeast Greenland population. Genetic analysis confirmed that these bears are indeed genetically distinct, and tracking data demonstrated they remain geographically separate from their northern counterparts. Based on this compelling evidence, Dr. Laidre and her team recommended that the Southeast Greenland bears be officially recognized as a separate subpopulation.
In the summer of 2024, the Polar Bear Specialist Group (part of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, or IUCN), formally accepted this recommendation, recognizing the Southeast Greenland polar bears as a new and distinct subpopulation.
The Future of Polar Bears
The discovery of this subpopulations ability to adapt and thrive in a place with little sea ice offers a glimmer of hope for polar bears in a warming world. They depend on sea ice for survival, and the sea ice is disappearing due to the warming of our climate. The resilience shown by Southeast Greenland bears demonstrates how some polar bears can adapt to changing environments.
However, the unique habitat in Southeast Greenland, where glaciers feed ice into fjords, is limited. There is not enough similar habitat across the Arctic to support existing polar bear populations. While the Southeast Greenland bears provide valuable insights into potential adaptive strategies, it is not a model that can ensure the survival of polar bears everywhere.
Researchers plan to continue monitoring this subpopulation, hoping to learn more about how polar bears might adapt to the ongoing challenges posed by climate change.
References
Laidre, K. L., et al. (2022). Glacial ice supports a distinct and undocumented polar bear subpopulation persisting in late 21st-century sea-ice conditions. Science, 376(6599), 1333–1338. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abk2793
IUCN Polar Bear Specialist Group. (2024, June 18). 20th working meeting of the IUCN/SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group. https://www.iucn-pbsg.org/2024/06/18/20th-working-meeting-of-the-iucn-ssc-polar-bear-specialist-group/
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