Migration phenology and seasonal fidelity of an Arctic marine predator in relation to sea ice dynamics

• Published in: The Journal of animal ecology Vol. 82; no. 4; pp. 912 - 921
• Main Authors: Cherry, Seth G., Derocher, Andrew E., Thiemann, Gregory W., Lunn, Nicholas J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell Publishing 01-07-2013; Blackwell; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal behavior; Animal ecology; Animal migration; Animal Migration - physiology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Arctic marine ecosystems; Arctic Regions; Bays; Biological and medical sciences; Climate Change; Demography; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Ice; Ice Cover; Marine; Marine ecology; migratory behaviour; Modeling; Parametric models; Phenology; Polar bears; Predation; satellite‐linked telemetry; Sea ice; sea ice break‐up and freeze‐up; Sea water ecosystems; seasonal habitat use; Seasonal migration; Seasons; site fidelity; spatiotemporal mismatch; Synecology; Ursidae - physiology; Ursus maritimus; Arctic Region; Arctic Regions; PN, Arctic; Fidelity; Range finding; Migration; Philopatry; Satellite; Ice break up; Habitat selection; Arctic marine ecosystems; sea ice break-up and freeze-up; Marine environment; spatiotemporal mismatch; site fidelity; migratory behaviour; Migratory; Phenology; Seasonal variation; Ecosystem; Polar region; Predator; Sea dynamics; Freeze; Sea ice; satellite-linked telemetry; seasonal habitat use; satellite‐linked telemetry; sea ice break‐up and freeze‐up
• ISSN: 0021-8790; 1365-2656
• DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12050

1. Understanding how seasonal environmental conditions affect the timing and distribution of synchronized animal movement patterns is a central issue in animal ecology. 2. Migration, a behavioural adaptation to seasonal environmental fluctuations, is a fundamental part of the life history of numerous species. However, global climate change can alter the spatiotemporal distribution of resources and thus affect the seasonal movement patterns of migratory animals. 3. We examined sea ice dynamics relative to migration patterns and seasonal geographical fidelity of an Arctic marine predator, the polar bear (Ursus maritimus). Polar bear movement patterns were quantified using satellite-linked telemetry data collected from collars deployed between 1991–1997 and 2004–2009. 4. We showed that specific sea ice characteristics can predict the timing of seasonal polar bear migration on and off terrestrial refugia. In addition, fidelity to specific onshore regions during the ice-free period was predicted by the spatial pattern of sea ice break-up but not by the timing of break-up. The timing of migration showed a trend towards earlier arrival of polar bears on shore and later departure from land, which has been driven by climate-induced declines in the availability of sea ice. 5. Changes to the timing of migration have resulted in polar bears spending progressively longer periods of time on land without access to sea ice and their marine mammal prey. The links between increased atmospheric temperatures, sea ice dynamics, and the migratory behaviour of an ice-dependent species emphasizes the importance of quantifying and monitoring relationships between migratory wildlife and environmental cues that may be altered by climate change.