Functioning and Components of Ecosystem Animals
Polar Bears
• An apex predator
• Vulnerableàpopulation decrease by 40 % since 2000 o 1500 in 2001, 900 in 2010
• Ice retreated by 12 % every decade, and growing faster
• No ice = cannot catch main prey( seals) and must come on land
• 2007 US Geological Surveyàpopulation shrink to 1 / 3 of current size, maybe even less by 2050
• Needs fat-rich, energy dense foodsàgood food source in whales