HOME >> BIOLOGY >> NEWS
Want to save polar bears? Follow the ice

In the wake of the U.S. governments watershed decision to propose listing the polar bear as "Threatened" under the Endangered Species Act, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is launching a bold initiative to save the Earths largest terrestrial predator, not by following the bears themselves, but the receding sea ice habitat that may drastically shrink as a result of global warming. In a project named "Warm Waters for Cool Bears," WCS will use both current and historical satellite imagery to predict where sea ice is likely to persist and where subsequent conservation efforts to save the species will be most effective.

The new project will be funded by a $100,000 grant from the Wendy P. McCaw Foundation and will enable landscape ecologists to bring nearly 30 years of daily collected satellite imagery and meteorological data into a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) map that will enable conservationists to more accurately predict where sea icea vital habitat for polar bears and seals that they prey onwill remain into the near future.

"The polar bear could be at the crossroads," said Scott Bergen, a landscape ecologist with WCS' Living Landscapes Program and the principal investigator for the project. "The survival of some polar bear populations depend on the decisions we make within the next year. Fortunately, by using available data on sea ice trends over the past few decades, we can make effective decisions that can make a difference for the largest carnivore on earth."

The "Warm Waters for Cool Bears" initiative represents a departure from previous polar bear studies, which typically focused on either observing individual bears or following them with satellite collars, often at great cost and risk to bears and researchers alike.

Polar bears rely on seasonal sea ice for stalking their principal preyringed and bearded seals. Without the ice, the bears generally cannot get anywhere near these fast swimming marine
'"/>

Contact: John Delaney
jdelaney@wcs.org
718-220-3275
Wildlife Conservation Society
30-May-2007


Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. New databases put wings on search for bipolar risk genes
2. $9M grant awarded to University of Cincinnati for bipolar disorder research
3. Genetic roots of bipolar disorder revealed by first genome-wide study of illness
4. Delayed treatment of childhood-onset bipolar disorder results in negative outcome in adults
5. Gene controlling circadian rhythms may be involved in onset of bipolar disorder
6. Exploring polar regions, understanding climate
7. ICSU and WMO launch the largest polar research program in 50 years
8. Antarctic marine explorers reveal first biological changes after collapse of polar ice shelves
9. Extreme irritability -- is it childhood bipolar disorder?
10. National Science Foundation supports UCR study of polar lake life forms
11. UAF professor awarded polar science education grant

Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: Want save polar bears Follow the ice

(Date:5/20/2013)... resistant to the antibiotic colistin are also commonly ... body, according to a study in mBio ... Society for Microbiology. Cross-resistance to colistin and host ... body against bacterial attack, could mean that patients ... with a crippled immune response. Colistin is a ...
(Date:5/20/2013)... Foundation (NSF) planning grant will help establish the Center ... of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Worcester ... be devoted to research in drying moist, porous materials ... paper products; chemical products; textiles; and biopharmaceuticals," said Hao ... and human nutrition and the Illinois site director. , ...
(Date:5/19/2013)... that can grow using hydrogen gas as its sole ... of carbon. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts, ... of the American Society for Microbiology. , "This represents ... says Amit Kumar, a researcher on the study who, ... Lab Group at the university. , Under the leadership ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Resistance to last-line antibiotic makes bacteria resistant to immune system 2Resistance to last-line antibiotic makes bacteria resistant to immune system 3NSF approves planning grant for Center for Advanced Research in Drying 2
(Date:5/22/2013)... Cambridge Semantics was one of just 22 companies ... Capitol Hill, hosted by The Data Transparency ... showcase how innovative data management applications can address the requirements ... , Originally introduced in 2011 by Committee Chairman ... Warner (D-VA ), the DATA Act is designed to ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... The Conference Forum announced ... Advance Clinical Trials conference taking place on September 19-20 ... , Disruptive thinkers from Novartis, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, ... approaches to reduce expensive infrastructure, engage patients and generate ... be big, or novel, or it must change the ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... , May 22, 2013   Oligomerix, Inc. ... of disease modifying therapeutics for Alzheimer,s disease (AD) ... of its Series B financing, which includes both ... that would represent approximately $2.8M in new investments ... investors supported the raise. Funding ...
(Date:5/22/2013)...  Empire Genomics announced today it has acquired ... genomic biomarker from Cornell University for use in ... in diagnosing and determining treatment for patients with ... prostate cancer (NEPC) is a lethal variant of ... but more commonly arises after hormonal therapy for ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Cambridge Semantics Underscores Need for Smart Data during “Data Demonstration Day” on Capitol Hill 2Disruptive Innovation Hits Clinical Trials, Dedicated Event Launches 2Oligomerix, Inc. Completes Series B Financing 2Oligomerix, Inc. Completes Series B Financing 3Empire Genomics Licenses Novel DNA Biomarker for Use in Diagnosing and Creating a Companion Diagnostic Test for Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer 2
Cached News: