Students evaluate:
What unique authority does each source have?
What potential biases might influence each?
How relevant is each to different aspects of your research question?
How might you use all three together to build a more complete understanding?
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Source Type
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Population Trend & Details
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Citation
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Peer-Reviewed Ecology Paper
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A global assessment estimates ~26,000 polar bears, divided into 19 subpopulations. Projections tied to sea-ice decline show a 71% probability of at least a 30% population decline over the next 35–41 years (three generations) due to climate change and habitat loss. Some subpopulations are stable or productive, others already show declines or nutritional stress.
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Regehr, E.V. et al. (2016). "Conservation status of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in relation to projected sea-ice declines." Biology Letters, 12(12): 20160556.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5206583/
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Inuit Hunter Testimony (to Government Committee)
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Many Inuit in Nunavut state that "there are now so many bears that public safety has become a major concern." Their observations suggest populations are higher than scientific estimates for most bear populations in the region. Inuit report that climate change hasn’t notably reduced local polar bear numbers, and increased encounters are a growing issue for communities.
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Nunavut wildlife management plan, public hearings, Inuit community and hunter testimony (2018). CBC News report, based on government draft management plan.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/too-many-polar-bears-1.4901910
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Polar Bears International Fact Sheet
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The IUCN estimates a global population of about 26,000 polar bears. The fact sheet warns that without action on climate change, only a few polar bear populations are expected to survive into the future, with major declines likely as sea ice continues to disappear.
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https://polarbearsinternational.org/polar-bears-changing-arctic/polar-bear-facts/status/
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