Ecological data at the science/policy boundary

The listing of the polar bear under Endangered Species Act provides a case study of the intersection of science and decision making. Decision makers faced many uncertainties, including variations in projections of sea ice cover, an absence of analyses of bear population trends, and other questions. To address these issues, decision makers engaged the US Geological Survey to look at an ensemble of projections of sea ice trends, analyze the relationship of bear populations to changes in sea ice, and reexamine data on bear population trends. This case underscores the significance of collaborative processes to link scientists with decision makers.