Floating on Thin Ice:

An exploration of the human impact on the life of the Polar Bear in the

Arctic Tundra Samantha Gompers & Patty Prep

GPA Adv. Biology

May 28, 2010

Project PurposeWhy are we here to talk to you today? • To educate you• To share with you• To motivate you• To encourage you

Ursus maritimus: The Polar Bear

Polar Bears belong to:Kingdom Animalia – animalsPhylum Chordata –

vertebratesClass Mammalia – mammalsOrder Carnivora – meat

eatersFamily Ursidae – bearsGenus Ursus –

black/brown/polarSpecies U. maritimus – polar

bear!

All About the Polar Bear:• White fur/black

skin• They are 7-9 ft

long. Females weigh 300-550lbs Males weigh 800-1500lbs

• Wide paws• They have 2

layers of fur and a layer of blubber.

Where do we find the Polar Bear?

• The polar bear lives in the Arctic Tundra and hunts on the nearby sea ice of the Polar Ice Caps.

What is the Arctic Tundra?

• The Arctic Tundra is the coldest and northernmost biome. It is home to a small number of extremely hardy species who brave the frozen soil and icy winds.

Abiotic (Nonliving) Factors in the Tundra

• Extremely cold temperatures yearround

• The soil is permanently frozen from 10-35 inches down

• In the wintertime, days are extremely short -while in the summertime, daylight may last 24 hours.

• The Tundra has lots of strong wind, very little rain, and soil that is not very good for growing.

The average temperature in the winter is about -18°F, dropping as low as -58°F.In the summers temperatures can be around 55°F, but they also drop to 37°F.

Dominant Plants in the Arctic Tundra

• Plants on the tundra are small and usually stunted.

• They include mosses, lichens (fungus + algae), sedges (small flowering grasslike plants), a few flowers, short grasses, and a few dwarf trees.

• These plants have their roots ripped and crushed by the thawing of the topsoil each summer, so they never grow very big.

Dominant Animals in the Arctic Tundra

Animals living on the Tundra include:– Polar Bears– Arctic Foxes– Caribou– Musk Oxen – Wolves– Lemmings and other

rodents– A few birds who are

usually migratory.

Where is the Arctic Tundra?

Back to the Polar Bear…where does it fit into the Arctic Tundra ecosystem?

• The polar bear is a tertiary consumer,- top of the food chain

Where does the Polar Bear fit into its food web?

SO WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

• Threat #1: Shrinking sea ice due to global warming

SO WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

• Threat #2: Smaller hunting grounds, less available food

.

SO WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

• Threat #3: Oil Spills and Toxic Chemicals

.

SO WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

• Polar bears are threatenedendangeredEXTINCT

Solutions for the Polar Bear Step #1: Identify what the world is already doing

• The use of toxic chemicals has decreased over the years as environmental groups have pushed for more eco-friendly methods.

• The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a large portion of Alaska and Canada, is protected to help preserve the species that live there.

Step #2: Identify why the present solution is not working: What are the barriers?

• Barrier #1: Unfortunately, environmentally safe products are not always the most cost effective or easiest to use

• Barrier #2: Unfortunately, many people still push for drilling for the oil in this precious land.

Step #3: What is my elegant solution to overcome the barriers? • Solution #1: Educate

and advocate that EVERYONE needs to take a part to make a difference by:

1. Start partnerships with environmentally friendly companies and schools to use more ecofriendly products and supplies for a low cost

• Solution #2: Find ways to use less energy in our daily lives so we can find a sustainable alternative energy source to prevent drilling oil in the tundra by:

• 1. Riding a bike or walking rather than driving when possible

• 2. Making a conscious effort to conserve energy

“ No one snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible”

Works CitedAbel, Dennis. “ Polar Bears Galore.” Time Magazine 16. Dec. 2008: 24-32.

Boly, Luis. Personal Interview. 8 June 2010.

“ Tundra.” Encyclopedia Brittanica. 15th ed. 2009.

Veny, Samuel. Threats of the Polar Bear. Revised 18 January 2010. 18 May 2010. http://www.polarbearthreats.org

Wagnerman, Samantha. Polar Bear History. Revised 20 February 2010. http://www.polarbearhistory.gov.

Geometry Model Biome

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

• We would like to thank the following for making our presentation possible:

• Teachers- for supporting and guiding our education and inspiring us to reach our full potential

• Family – for their love, dedication, and endless support

• Classmates- for their support with our learning