Polar Bears: The King of the Arctic

An overview of the habitat of the worlds largest land carnivore

Ursus Maritimus; the Sea Bear

The Polar bear (Usus Maritimus) can most often be found swimming in frigid arctic waters or patiently hunting for seals from a sea ice shelf. In fact,  due to their overall dependance on sea ice, Polar Bears are officially classified as a marine mammal. While they share this classification with whales and seals they are the only marine mammals to have ambulatory proficiency on land. Taking a deep dive into the habitat of the Polar Bear reveals a variety of landscapes that result from the complex interactions between land and sea. 

The Arctic Ecoregions 

The Arctic circle is divided into 4 distinct sea ice habitats, or ecoregions: Seasonal Ice, Divergent Ice, Convergent Ice and Archipelago Ice regions.  In Seasonal Ice ecoregions, there is a complete melt of sea ice in the summer months. This differs slightly from Divergent Ice ecoregions, where ice flow and sea conditions are such that ice generally forms and then slowly moves away from shore. During summer months when ice formation stops a gap between the ice and shore forms. However, in Convergent Ice regions, the ice flow from the divergent regions slowly drift inwards and are pushed ashore, which keeps the ice present year round. Similarly in the Archipelago Ice region, which are areas comprising sea channels between the islands of northern Canada, see ice present all year round. Polar bears are present in all 4 of these ecoregions and their capacity to thrive in each one is highly dependent on a number of complex factors. 

Polar Bear activity within the Arctic ecoregions 

The prevalence of sea ice, its condition, and how it moves within an ecoregion are significant factors which impact polar bear activity and populations within the area. In particular, the Hudson Bay is classified as a Seasonal Ice ecoregion. As this ecoregion does not have permanent ice present, polar bear populations who call this area home must come to land on a seasonal basis. While on land there is limited availability of prey, and as such these Polar Bears will often go without eating during the entire summer, living off of their fat stores until they can return to the ice. 

Climate Change and its impact on Arctic ecoregions 

Comprehensive international studies of the Arctic reveal how a changing climate is impacting the populations of Polar Bears within each specific ecoregion. Although warming of the Arctic is measurable in all ecoregions, the Convergent and Archipelago Ice regions are still maintaining full ice coverage throughout the year. These regions therefore present a habitat which allows for polar bears to hunt for seals on a continuous basis. However, the impact of climate change for those Polar Bears who populate the Divergent and Seasonal Ice subregions is more directly observable. In Divergent Ice ecoregions,  rising seasonal temperatures are increasing the distance between the shore and the ice. Seeing as seals tend to stay near the shore, increased distances between the ice and shore limit the hunting opportunities for Polar Bears. Similarly, in the Seasonal Ice ecoregion warming trends are quickening the melt of ice in the spring and delaying the formation of sea ice in the fall. This results in a shorter duration of time for the Polar Bears in this subregion to be out  on the ice hunting. 

Subtle differences in sea ice flow and shoreline can result in markedly different habitats for the Polar Bear. Clearly, the vast expanse of the Arctic region is more than just snow, ice and sea. The importance of climate change on the region is becoming more salient as the scientific community continues to advance our understanding of the Arctic. It is without question that continuing to understand this delicate ecosystem will inform strategies and decision making to help protect and support Polar Bear habitat.  

About Gold Star Canadian Tours 

We are focused on providing convenient travel experiences of authentically Canadian destinations. Our flagship tour is a convenient 1-day Polar Bear Expedition with dedicated non-stop charter flights from major airports directly to Churchill, Manitoba. With Gold Star Canadian Tours, the wonders of the Arctic are closer than ever. Your Adventure Awaits!