Ring seals, give birth and layers carved out of packed snow dress, which abiotic change may increase mortality

Question

Reduced snowfall
Reduced carbon dioxide
Reduced temperatures
Reduced polar bear population

Answer 1

The abiotic change that may increase mortality, particularly for species like polar bears which rely on sea ice for hunting seals, would be reduced snowfall. While reduced temperatures and reduced carbon dioxide are not directly tied to immediate mortality issues, reduced snowfall can impact the habitat quality, leading to less effective seal breeding and birthing grounds. This, in turn, would decrease food availability for polar bears, increasing their mortality rate as they struggle to find adequate prey.