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List of "In the Spotlight" Features USGS Studies the Impact of Global Climate Change on Walruses in the Arctic!Global Climate Change is very real, particularly in Earth's Polar Regions. Signals of Spring - ACES scientist Dr. Chad Jay discusses how tracking walruses can help us to understand how these animals will survive.
For example, last year, when even the chunks of ice over the continental shelf melted, some of the walruses were forced to haul out on the shore. The shore is not a normal habitat for females and their young; they have access to much more food and habitat when they remain on the pack ice. Therefore, scientists are interested to see how the retreating ice will affect walruses and other animals including polar bears and ice seals. It is likely that other parts of the food chain will also be affected. Dr. Jay explains that it is important for students to understand that Global Climate Change is happening now. "We are seeing very dramatic changes in sea ice in the Arctic and walruses are one of a good number of species that we are trying to understand." The next challenges will be to try to discover what the changes mean for walruses and the entire Arctic food web. |
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