Projected changes (based on 10 IPCC AR-4 GCM models run with the SRES- A1B forcing scenario) in the spatial distribution and integrated annual area of optimal polar bear habitat. Base map shows the cumulative number of months per decade where optimal polar bear habitat was either lost (red) or gained (blue) from 2001–2010 to 2041–2050. Offshore gray shading denotes areas where optimal habitat was absent in both periods. Insets show the average annual ( 12 months) cumulative area of optimal habitat (right y-axis, line plot) for four 10-year periods in the 21st century (x-axis midpoints), and their associated percent