Concern for seals as icebergs melt

[{"selector":"#anim-b13217bb-afd9-429e-97ee-cdd74bc7beda","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.01)","scale(0.999)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] Climate change is putting the future of some seals at risk as icebergs on which they depend become smaller, and the movements of the ice in the oceans change.

Recent research in the Johns Hopkins Glacier and Inlet in Alaska has revealed how climate-driven changes are impacting the birthing season in seals.

Harbour seals depend on icebergs that break off from glaciers as an essential habitat, using these floating platforms for important activities including giving birth, caring for pups and moulting.

But as sea levels rise and waters warm, the number of icebergs and their shape and speed in water currents are all being impacted.

Faster currents may reduce the number of safe spaces seal pups have to avoid predators during pupping season which could impact the population of seals.

cosmosmagazine.com

[{"selector":"#anim-9233da4d-82b3-4e0b-b26a-7a860871a962","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":300,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8fb50e63-7b5e-41fb-8e68-f671a1738df7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 1910.74043%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":300,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7582e190-43d7-45b8-b9b0-0be0509b08cd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e57c4443-c961-424d-99a8-9041b2362722","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 98.78316%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Concern for seals as icebergs melt

Recent research in the Johns Hopkins Glacier and Inlet in Alaska has revealed how climate-driven changes are impacting the birthing season in seals.

But as sea levels rise and waters warm, the number of icebergs and their shape and speed in water currents are all being impacted.

cosmosmagazine.com

THE INFORMATION YOU NEED

Body and mind

Discover nature

Explore our planet