Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are one of 4 marine mammal species managed by the U.S. Department of Interior. The USGS Alaska Science Center leads long–term research on polar bears to inform local, state, national and international policy makers regarding conservation of the species and its habitat. Our studies, ongoing since 1985, are focused on population dynamics, health and energetics, distribution and movements, maternal denning, and methods development. The majority of our research focuses on the two polar bear subpopulation’s whose range includes Alaska: the Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation that ranges between the North Slope of Alaska and western Canada and the Chukchi Sea or Alaska-Chukotka subpopulation that ranges between the northwest coast of Alaska and eastern Russia. The overarching goal of our research is to assess current and projected future responses of polar bears to a rapidly changing Arctic environment.
Return to Ecosystems >> Marine Ecosystems
Video: Polar Bear Collar Cam
Video: About the Polar Bear Research Program
Video: Melting Arctic Sea Ice Threatens Polar Bears
Polar Bear Reseach Projects
Information on the status and trends of polar bear populations are needed to inform management of polar bears under US laws and international agreements.
Population Dynamics
Health and Energetics
Distribution and Movements
Maternal Denning
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Fatty Acid Signature Data of Chukchi Sea Polar Bears, 2008-2015
Summer Activity Sensor Data from Collars Deployed on Female Polar Bears in the Chukchi Sea 1989 to 1995 and Southern Beaufort Sea 1989 to 2014
Stable Isotope Data from Diets and Tissues of Captive Bears Fed Experimental Diets
Chukchi Sea Polar Bear Locations, 1985-1996
U.S. Geological Survey Polar Bear Mark-Recapture Records, Alaska Portion of the Southern Beaufort Sea, 2001-2010
Below are multimedia associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)
Analyses on subpopulation abundance and annual number of maternal dens for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea, Alaska
Erratum: Seismic survey design and effects on maternal polar bear dens
Seismic survey design and impacts to maternal polar bear dens
State of knowledge on current exposure, fate and potential health effects of contaminants in polar bears from the circumpolar Arctic
Estimating the energy expenditure of free‐ranging polar bears using tri‐axial accelerometers: A validation with doubly labeled water
Survey-based assessment of the frequency and potential impacts of recreation on polar bears
Development of on-shore behavior among polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea: Inherited or learned?
A comparison of photograph-interpreted and IfSAR-derived maps of polar bear denning habitat for the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Summary of wildlife-related research on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2002–17
Implications of rapid environmental change for polar bear behavior and sociality
Monitoring the welfare of polar bear populations in a rapidly changing Arctic
Below are news stories associated with this project.
Below are partners associated with this project.
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are one of 4 marine mammal species managed by the U.S. Department of Interior. The USGS Alaska Science Center leads long–term research on polar bears to inform local, state, national and international policy makers regarding conservation of the species and its habitat. Our studies, ongoing since 1985, are focused on population dynamics, health and energetics, distribution and movements, maternal denning, and methods development. The majority of our research focuses on the two polar bear subpopulation’s whose range includes Alaska: the Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation that ranges between the North Slope of Alaska and western Canada and the Chukchi Sea or Alaska-Chukotka subpopulation that ranges between the northwest coast of Alaska and eastern Russia. The overarching goal of our research is to assess current and projected future responses of polar bears to a rapidly changing Arctic environment.
Return to Ecosystems >> Marine Ecosystems
Video: Polar Bear Collar Cam
Video: About the Polar Bear Research Program
Video: Melting Arctic Sea Ice Threatens Polar Bears
Polar Bear Reseach Projects
Information on the status and trends of polar bear populations are needed to inform management of polar bears under US laws and international agreements.
Population Dynamics
Health and Energetics
Distribution and Movements
Maternal Denning
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Fatty Acid Signature Data of Chukchi Sea Polar Bears, 2008-2015
Summer Activity Sensor Data from Collars Deployed on Female Polar Bears in the Chukchi Sea 1989 to 1995 and Southern Beaufort Sea 1989 to 2014
Stable Isotope Data from Diets and Tissues of Captive Bears Fed Experimental Diets
Chukchi Sea Polar Bear Locations, 1985-1996
U.S. Geological Survey Polar Bear Mark-Recapture Records, Alaska Portion of the Southern Beaufort Sea, 2001-2010
Below are multimedia associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)
Analyses on subpopulation abundance and annual number of maternal dens for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea, Alaska
Erratum: Seismic survey design and effects on maternal polar bear dens
Seismic survey design and impacts to maternal polar bear dens
State of knowledge on current exposure, fate and potential health effects of contaminants in polar bears from the circumpolar Arctic
Estimating the energy expenditure of free‐ranging polar bears using tri‐axial accelerometers: A validation with doubly labeled water
Survey-based assessment of the frequency and potential impacts of recreation on polar bears
Development of on-shore behavior among polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea: Inherited or learned?
A comparison of photograph-interpreted and IfSAR-derived maps of polar bear denning habitat for the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Summary of wildlife-related research on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2002–17
Implications of rapid environmental change for polar bear behavior and sociality
Monitoring the welfare of polar bear populations in a rapidly changing Arctic
Below are news stories associated with this project.
Below are partners associated with this project.