Polar bears rely on the sea ice for travel, mate finding, hunting, and, in some regions, for maternity denning. Ringed seals rely on the sea ice, and the snow on top, for moulting and for the creation of the protective snow lairs in which they give birth.
There is a strong predator-prey relationship between polar bears and ringed seals, and both species rely on the sea ice. Polar bears and ringed seals, however, are two species for which we have data spanning multiple decades, making them suitable indicator species for detecting broader ecological change. Unfortunately, we lack even baseline population estimates for many ice-associated species. Mechanistic mathematical models are a powerful tool for exploring the unprecedented nature of these environmental changes, allowing us to make quantitative, testable predictions-a hallmark of scientific understanding-against which we can compare future observations. Our ability to successfully monitor ecological changes and manage vulnerable populations relies on our ability to predict these responses. The projected effects of a warmer Arctic include changes in population dynamics and distributions, biodiversity, food web structure, and ecosystem services. This week, there are thought to be more than 200 overnight visitors in hotels and guesthouses on Svalbard.Predator and Prey, Past, Present, and Projected: Modelling Polar Bears and Ringed Seals in a Dynamic ArcticĬlimate change is causing the Arctic to warm faster than anywhere else on earth. A female bear with young was darted and moved, while on Tuesday night two bears were observed near Longyearbyen.Īccording to the local paper Svalbardposten, researchers at the local university field centre, Unis, avoid spending the night in tents near the shoreline – where the campsite is located – because of a recent increase in the presence of polar bears. The attack took place amid several recent sightings of bears around Svalbard.
The campsite’s owner, it emerged, had recently purchased electric bear fencing to protect the site. According to NRK, the campsite does not allow guests to have firearms on the site and does not advise bear alarms or the use of flares as bear deterrents during the summer season when bear approaches are less frequent. Six other people were staying in tents at the campsite when the attack took place. We are in bear territory, and polar bears are a danger to humans.” The bear was shot at by people on the spot and walked towards the airport, which is located nearby,” said the assistant governor Sølvi Elvedahl.Įlvedahl said it was not clear if a guard against bears had been stationed at the campsite. In 2015, a polar bear dragged a Czech tourist out of his tent as he and others were camping north of Longyearbyen, clawing his back before being driven away by gunshots.Īccording to a spokesperson for the Svalbard governor’s office: “Police were notified at 3.50am that a person at the campsite had been attacked and injured by a polar bear. The last death from a polar bear encounter in Svalbard happened in 2011 when Horatio Chapple, a 17-year-old boy from Salisbury, south-west England, was killed at a campsite while on a trip organised by the British Schools Exploring Society.
Visitors who choose to sleep outdoors receive stern warnings from the authorities that people must carry firearms when moving outside settlements. Svalbard is dotted with warnings about polar bears. It is understood that staff working at the campsite have firearms. While there have been only five deaths from polar bear attacks in this area since 1971, authorities warn travellers of the risk from polar bears and those venturing away from settlements are required to carry firearms as a precaution.Īn advice website for visitors says the bears can appear anywhere on Svalbard and urges people to stay as far away as possible to avoid situations that could be dangerous “for you and for the bear”. The campsite near Longyearbyen where the man was attacked.
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