Aarushi Chakraborty
Class of 2026Kolkata, West Bengal
About
Projects
- "How is human-driven Arctic ice loss altering habitat and prey access for polar bears, and how does this change intensify their ecological, physiological, and behavioral vulnerability?" with mentor Nicholas (Jan. 12, 2026)
Project Portfolio
How is human-driven Arctic ice loss altering habitat and prey access for polar bears, and how does this change intensify their ecological, physiological, and behavioral vulnerability?
Started May 16, 2025
Abstract or project description
Aim: To explore how Arctic sea ice decline and other climate impacts affect polar bears and the ecosystems they inhabit.
Key Objectives:
Quantify the physiological impact of prolonged ice-free periods on polar bears, focusing on fasting, muscle loss, and energy depletion.
Examine how climate change affects other Arctic species such as seals, whales, and birds, to highlight broader ecosystem disruptions beyond polar bears.
Analyze what would happen to the Arctic food web if polar bears were removed, including shifts in prey populations and predator–prey relationships.
Investigate current and proposed ecosystem restoration efforts, including Indigenous-led strategies, and evaluate how ecological balance could be restored without polar bears.
Explore if climate change were halted and polar bears recover, assessing whether food, habitat, and physiological capacity would be sufficient for their survival.