Question

Grizzly bears and black bears have a varied diet and hunting grounds. On the other hand, polar bears feed mostly on seals. They walk on the sea ice and wait by breathing holes for seals to emerge from the water for fresh air. Which of the following animals would be most affected by the melting of sea ice in Alaska?

a) Grizzly bears
b) Black bears
c) Seals
d) Polar bears

Answer 1

Polar bears are most affected by the melting of sea ice in Alaska due to their reliance on it for hunting seals. This melting disrupts food webs and has led to habitat overlap and hybrid species between polar and grizzly bears.

Step-by-step explanation:

The animal that would be most affected by the melting of sea ice in Alaska is the polar bear. Polar bears rely heavily on sea ice as their primary hunting ground to catch seals, which are their main food source. As the earth warms due to climate change, the sea ice is melting, reducing the habitat polar bears need for hunting.

If polar bears move to land to hunt due to loss of sea ice, they will still be top predators but will struggle to find enough food, leading to a disruption in the balance of the food web. Furthermore, with the overlap of polar bear and grizzly bear habitats, there's an emergence of hybrid species like the 'grolar bear'. These ecological shifts hint at broader impacts on ecosystems as climate change progresses.

The correct option is D.