Sentences with phrase «preferred sea ice habitats»

Because polar bears are entirely dependent upon the sea ice for their survival, any observed and projected reductions in preferred sea ice habitats can only result in declines.

Not exact matches

But just as the species has been recovering from that threat, global warming is creating new pressures through the loss of summer sea ice and other impacts on the bears» preferred maritime habitat.

As sea ice thins, and becomes more fractured and labile, it is likely to move more in response to winds and currents so that polar bears will need to walk or swim more and thus use greater amounts of energy to maintain contact with the remaining preferred habitats.

The conclusion, that the loss of sea ice — the polar bear's natural and preferred habitat — forces them onto dry land and closer to human habitation, seems obvious.