What has contributed to the loss of polar bears in arctic areas?
hunting of the polar bear by the Inuit people decline in sea ice the tundra shifting northward the decline of lemmings; the primary food of the polar bear fires in the taiga and tundra
The primary factor contributing to the loss of polar bears in Arctic areas is the decline in sea ice. Polar bears rely on sea ice as a platform for hunting seals, their main food source. As climate change leads to rising temperatures, the extent and thickness of sea ice are decreasing, which directly impacts polar bear populations.
While hunting by Inuit people does occur, it is regulated and not a primary driver of the overall decline in polar bear populations. The shifting of tundra and the decline of lemmings are not directly related to polar bear survival, as lemmings are not a primary food source for polar bears. Fires in the taiga and tundra can affect the ecosystem, but they are not the main threat to polar bears.
In summary, the most significant factor is the decline in sea ice due to climate change.