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.
Below are multimedia associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Testing methods for using high-resolution satellite imagery to monitor polar bear abundance and distribution
Gene transcription in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from disparate populations
Estimating the abundance of the Southern Hudson Bay polar bear subpopulation with aerial surveys
Summer declines in activity and body temperature offer polar bears limited energy savings
Changing Arctic Ecosystems: Updated forecast: Reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions required to improve polar bear outlook
Enhanced biological processes associated with alopecia in polar bears (Ursus maritimus)
Can polar bears use terrestrial foods to offset lost ice-based hunting opportunities?
Polar bear population dynamics in the southern Beaufort Sea during a period of sea ice decline
A review of infectious agents in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and their long-term ecological relevance
Resilience and risk: a demographic model to inform conservation planning for polar bears
Establishing a definition of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) health: A guide to research and management activities
An experimental investigation of chemical communication in the polar bear
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.
Below are multimedia associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Testing methods for using high-resolution satellite imagery to monitor polar bear abundance and distribution
Gene transcription in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from disparate populations
Estimating the abundance of the Southern Hudson Bay polar bear subpopulation with aerial surveys
Summer declines in activity and body temperature offer polar bears limited energy savings
Changing Arctic Ecosystems: Updated forecast: Reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions required to improve polar bear outlook
Enhanced biological processes associated with alopecia in polar bears (Ursus maritimus)
Can polar bears use terrestrial foods to offset lost ice-based hunting opportunities?
Polar bear population dynamics in the southern Beaufort Sea during a period of sea ice decline
A review of infectious agents in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and their long-term ecological relevance
Resilience and risk: a demographic model to inform conservation planning for polar bears
Establishing a definition of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) health: A guide to research and management activities
An experimental investigation of chemical communication in the polar bear
Below are news stories associated with this project.
Below are partners associated with this project.