Sea Ice and Polar Bear Habitat

Bruno Tremblay

McGill University

Future Optimal Habitat for Polar Bear

Durner et al, 2008

Sea ice

Proximity to coastline

Bathymetry, etc

Arctic Coring Expedition - ACEX

Krylov et al., Paleoceanography, 2008

Sea Ice Thickness

Winter

Summer

Present Day Future

Sediment Deposit

Present Day Future Nov Seeding Future Dec Seeding

Tara vs Nansen Drift

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

Start Date

Dri

ft D

ura

tion

(ye

ars

)

Total Drift Time in Recent Time

Pfirman Tremblay Fowler, 2009

Back Trajectories

2006 2007 2008

From the model

Proposed Modeling Activities

Sea Ice Thickness Animation – Arctic

Sea Ice Thickness Animation - CAA

Ice Origin Animation

Ice Age Animation

Sea Ice Drift Patter and Origin