Dr. Susan Crockford,
Regardless of rhetoric on the contrary, there may be nonetheless loads of sea ice over Arctic areas this summer time, supplying feeding platforms for polar bears, ice-dependent seals, and walrus cows nursing their younger calves. Neglect about whether or not the numbers are beneath or above some short-term common, there isn’t any disaster within the making for marine mammals within the Arctic right now.
Bear in mind, by early summer time, younger seals have left the floor of the ice and are within the water feeding; predator-savvy adults and subadults are hauled out on damaged chunks of ice moulting their hair-coat. They could seem like sitting geese however polar bears have a tough time catching them as a result of the seals are vigilant and have many escape routes obtainable (as a consequence of all of the open water). Most polar bears in Hudson Bay are nonetheless on the ice (you’ll see why beneath): the reside cams close to Churchill set as much as watch polar bears are presently exhibiting photographs of ravens with sea ice within the background, not bears.
This publish is predominantly sea ice charts for mid-July, what we within the science area name observational proof, aka ‘info’. Remember the fact that satellites used to supply these photographs have an particularly arduous time distinguishing ice topped with soften water from open water, which implies way more ice helpful to those marine mammals is nearly definitely current than is proven within the charts (as a lot as 20% extra in some areas).
Arctic-wide ranges, NSIDC Masie
For 13 July 2022
Canada (total after which by area), Canadian Ice Service
Word that regional charts are for the week of July 11, proven right here by ‘stage of improvement’ (ice thickness, with brown being previous, multiyear ice and darkish inexperienced ice >1.2m thick) and within the ‘departure from regular’ charts, darkish blue is way more than common and darkish crimson is far much less.
Svalbard, Norwegian Ice Service
Chukchi/Beaufort Seas, Alaska Sea Ice Program
By stage of improvement after which, focus:
