Distribution and habitat characteristics of pinnipeds and polar bears in the Svalbard Archipelago, 2005–2018
This study presents comprehensive mapping of the current distribution of pinnipeds and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) around Svalbard based on a regional marine mammal sightings programme and explores time-trends (2005–2018). Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) were observed with high frequency and in high...
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Norwegian Polar Institute
2021
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.33265/polar.v40.5326 https://doaj.org/article/4bd0a08836804d64b9d1d8b56682df7d |
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:4bd0a08836804d64b9d1d8b56682df7d 2023-05-15T15:11:57+02:00 Distribution and habitat characteristics of pinnipeds and polar bears in the Svalbard Archipelago, 2005–2018 Olof Bengtsson Charmain D. Hamilton Christian Lydersen Magnus Andersen Kit M. Kovacs 2021-02-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.33265/polar.v40.5326 https://doaj.org/article/4bd0a08836804d64b9d1d8b56682df7d EN eng Norwegian Polar Institute https://polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/5326/13326 https://doaj.org/toc/1751-8369 1751-8369 doi:10.33265/polar.v40.5326 https://doaj.org/article/4bd0a08836804d64b9d1d8b56682df7d Polar Research, Vol 40, Iss 0, Pp 1-20 (2021) arctic climate change erignathus barbatus pusa hispida range shifts ursus maritimus Environmental sciences GE1-350 Oceanography GC1-1581 article 2021 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.33265/polar.v40.5326 2022-12-31T04:35:19Z This study presents comprehensive mapping of the current distribution of pinnipeds and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) around Svalbard based on a regional marine mammal sightings programme and explores time-trends (2005–2018). Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) were observed with high frequency and in high numbers around previously identified haul-out sites. At-sea walruses were seen close to the coast in shallow waters. Ringed seals (Pusa hispida) were observed in coastal areas throughout Svalbard, often in association with tidewater glacier fronts. There was no increase in the mean latitude for ringed seal observations, but there was an increased frequency of observations at around 82°N, which reflects their following a northward shift in the ice edge during summer foraging trips. Bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) were observed frequently in north-western Spitsbergen and shared many habitat features with ringed seals. There was a slight increase in the mean latitude of bearded seal observations and a decreased frequency of observation in the southern parts of the archipelago, suggesting that this species might be shifting its distribution. Harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) observations within fjords have increased, likely as a consequence of increased inflow of Atlantic water into west coast fjords. Harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus) were observed with high frequency north of Svalbard. Hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) were observed only rarely. Polar bears were reported most frequently, undoubtedly as a result of an effort bias favouring this species. In spite of biases, citizen-based observations are useful for assessing broad distributional patterns of marine mammals through time. Article in Journal/Newspaper Arctic bearded seal Climate change Cystophora cristata Erignathus barbatus glacier harbour seal Odobenus rosmarus Pagophilus groenlandicus Phoca vitulina Polar Research Pusa hispida ringed seal Svalbard Tidewater Ursus maritimus Spitsbergen walrus* Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Arctic Svalbard Svalbard Archipelago Polar Research 40 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
arctic climate change erignathus barbatus pusa hispida range shifts ursus maritimus Environmental sciences GE1-350 Oceanography GC1-1581 |
spellingShingle |
arctic climate change erignathus barbatus pusa hispida range shifts ursus maritimus Environmental sciences GE1-350 Oceanography GC1-1581 Olof Bengtsson Charmain D. Hamilton Christian Lydersen Magnus Andersen Kit M. Kovacs Distribution and habitat characteristics of pinnipeds and polar bears in the Svalbard Archipelago, 2005–2018 |
topic_facet |
arctic climate change erignathus barbatus pusa hispida range shifts ursus maritimus Environmental sciences GE1-350 Oceanography GC1-1581 |
description |
This study presents comprehensive mapping of the current distribution of pinnipeds and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) around Svalbard based on a regional marine mammal sightings programme and explores time-trends (2005–2018). Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) were observed with high frequency and in high numbers around previously identified haul-out sites. At-sea walruses were seen close to the coast in shallow waters. Ringed seals (Pusa hispida) were observed in coastal areas throughout Svalbard, often in association with tidewater glacier fronts. There was no increase in the mean latitude for ringed seal observations, but there was an increased frequency of observations at around 82°N, which reflects their following a northward shift in the ice edge during summer foraging trips. Bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) were observed frequently in north-western Spitsbergen and shared many habitat features with ringed seals. There was a slight increase in the mean latitude of bearded seal observations and a decreased frequency of observation in the southern parts of the archipelago, suggesting that this species might be shifting its distribution. Harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) observations within fjords have increased, likely as a consequence of increased inflow of Atlantic water into west coast fjords. Harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus) were observed with high frequency north of Svalbard. Hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) were observed only rarely. Polar bears were reported most frequently, undoubtedly as a result of an effort bias favouring this species. In spite of biases, citizen-based observations are useful for assessing broad distributional patterns of marine mammals through time. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Olof Bengtsson Charmain D. Hamilton Christian Lydersen Magnus Andersen Kit M. Kovacs |
author_facet |
Olof Bengtsson Charmain D. Hamilton Christian Lydersen Magnus Andersen Kit M. Kovacs |
author_sort |
Olof Bengtsson |
title |
Distribution and habitat characteristics of pinnipeds and polar bears in the Svalbard Archipelago, 2005–2018 |
title_short |
Distribution and habitat characteristics of pinnipeds and polar bears in the Svalbard Archipelago, 2005–2018 |
title_full |
Distribution and habitat characteristics of pinnipeds and polar bears in the Svalbard Archipelago, 2005–2018 |
title_fullStr |
Distribution and habitat characteristics of pinnipeds and polar bears in the Svalbard Archipelago, 2005–2018 |
title_full_unstemmed |
Distribution and habitat characteristics of pinnipeds and polar bears in the Svalbard Archipelago, 2005–2018 |
title_sort |
distribution and habitat characteristics of pinnipeds and polar bears in the svalbard archipelago, 2005–2018 |
publisher |
Norwegian Polar Institute |
publishDate |
2021 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.33265/polar.v40.5326 https://doaj.org/article/4bd0a08836804d64b9d1d8b56682df7d |
geographic |
Arctic Svalbard Svalbard Archipelago |
geographic_facet |
Arctic Svalbard Svalbard Archipelago |
genre |
Arctic bearded seal Climate change Cystophora cristata Erignathus barbatus glacier harbour seal Odobenus rosmarus Pagophilus groenlandicus Phoca vitulina Polar Research Pusa hispida ringed seal Svalbard Tidewater Ursus maritimus Spitsbergen walrus* |
genre_facet |
Arctic bearded seal Climate change Cystophora cristata Erignathus barbatus glacier harbour seal Odobenus rosmarus Pagophilus groenlandicus Phoca vitulina Polar Research Pusa hispida ringed seal Svalbard Tidewater Ursus maritimus Spitsbergen walrus* |
op_source |
Polar Research, Vol 40, Iss 0, Pp 1-20 (2021) |
op_relation |
https://polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/5326/13326 https://doaj.org/toc/1751-8369 1751-8369 doi:10.33265/polar.v40.5326 https://doaj.org/article/4bd0a08836804d64b9d1d8b56682df7d |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.33265/polar.v40.5326 |
container_title |
Polar Research |
container_volume |
40 |
_version_ |
1766342725002592256 |