Polynyas are Critical for Polar Bear Spring Feeding

Sea ice is still abundant in spring (April-June), which is the critical feeding period for polar bears: they must consume about 2/3 of the total calories they need for the…

Polar bear habitat in Canada at the first week of June sees widening of critical polynyas

Winds primarily cause the apparent sea ice ‘breakup’ in late spring through the widening of persistent polynyas and shore leads. This year the development of critical open water areas in…

Polynyas are very important for marine life and cooling the oceans

An introduction to Polynyas Guest essay by Eric Stephens Many people think that once a sea freezes, it is one complete sheet. In reality, there are several open areas that…