What Is a Polar Bear's Role in the Ecosystem?

Melting sea ice poses a threat to polar bears.

Polar bears are part of a complex Arctic marine ecosystem with sea ice at its core. These massive snow-colored mammals have increasingly captured the attention of scientists and politicians as rising global temperatures pose a growing threat to their survival as a species.

Habitat

Though they are excellent swimmers, polar bears spend most of their time atop Arctic sea ice. Sea ice is an ecosystem in itself, supported at its base by plankton and algae at the bottom of the food chain. Polar bears share this habitat with seals, whales, Arctic foxes, birds and even people.

Predator

Polar bears are the primary predator in the marine ecosystem of the Arctic. They mainly hunt seals and the occasional young walrus or whale. In times of scarcity, they eat anything available, including fish, reindeer, birds, rodents, eggs, kelp, berries and even garbage.

Climate Change

When it comes to climate change, polar bears are the so-called canary in the coal mine. As large carnivores at the top of the food chain, the bears are highly sensitive to fluctuations in their environment. Melting sea ice fueled by global warming is wreaking havoc on polar bears' habitat.

References

• World Wildlife Federation: Polar Bear Habitat
• World Wildlife Federation: Facts About Polar Bears
• Seaworld: Polar Bears Diet and Eating Habits
• World Wildlife Federation: Polar Bear