A phenological comparison of grizzly (Ursus arctos) and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) as waterfowl nest predators in Wapusk National Park

Barnas, Andrew F.; Iles, David T.; Stechmann, Tanner J.; Wampole, Erin M.; Koons, David N.; Rockwell, Robert F.; Ellis‐Felege, Susan N.

doi:10.1007/s00300-020-02647-w

Cited by 8 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Bear presence and foraging in nesting bird colonies is an increasingly reported phenomenon in the Arctic (Smith et al 2010, Iverson et al 2014, Rode et al 2015, Clark et al 2019, Barnas et al 2020). We observed close associations between avian predators and bears in nesting snow goose colonies, and suggest that this association is likely an attempt by avian predators to capitalize on colony disturbance as a result of bear presence.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One changing predator regime that has gained much attention is that of Arctic nesting birds and the increasing predation (Hanson 2006) of nests by polar bears Ursus maritimus (Donaldson et al 1995, Rockwell and Gormezano 2009, Prop et al 2013, 2015, Iverson et al 2014, Gormezano et al 2017, Madsen et al 2019, Barnas et al 2020, Dey et al 2020, Jagielski et al 2021a, b). While consumption of bird eggs by bears has been reported in the past (Canadian Wildlife Service 1992, Cooke et al 1995, Derocher 2012), climate‐induced loss of spring sea‐ice is increasing the amount of time bears spend on land in recent years resulting in more frequent overlap with the incubation period of Arctic nesting birds than has likely occurred in the past (Smith et al 2010, Iverson et al 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bear presence attracts avian predators but does not impact lesser snow goose daily nest attendance

Barnas

Darby

Iles

et al. 2022

Journal of Avian Biology

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The presence of foraging bears in Arctic breeding bird colonies has been increasingly reported in the literature, and these may constitute disturbance events which cause incubating birds to leave their nest. Avian predators may associate with bears during such events, likely to capitalize on unattended nests in the presence of bears. Here, we estimated changes in daily nest attendance of lesser snow geese Anser caerulescens caerulescens in the presence of foraging bears, and estimated the association between foraging bears and avian predators. We predicted decreased nest attendance by geese on days with bears, and close associations between avian predators and bears. We monitored snow goose nests with cameras from 2013 to 2018 to assess nest attendance behaviours on days when bears were in the colony compared to control days without bears. When bears were present in colonies, we estimated the probability of avian predator occurrence compared to control periods. When controlling for day of incubation and camera placement types, we found no significant effects of bears on daily nest attendance behaviours of snow geese (n = 85). We found a significantly higher probability of observing avian predators when bears were present (0.72) compared to control periods without bears (0.11). We show that snow geese do not alter daily nest attendance in the presence of foraging bears, and suggest this is due to the presence of avian predators.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bear presence attracts avian predators but does not impact lesser snow goose daily nest attendance

Barnas

Darby

Iles

et al. 2022

Journal of Avian Biology

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“…), bears (Ursus spp. ), and Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) (Iles et al 2013;Stechmann 2019;Barnas et al 2020b); therefore, the lack of drone-induced behavioral disturbance leading to nest failure is reassuring for the use of drones in this area regardless of the increased recess duration.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nesting Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima) show little behavioral response to fixed-wing drone surveys

et al. 2022

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Drones may be valuable in polar research because they can minimize researcher activity and overcome logistic, financial, and safety obstacles associated with wildlife research in Polar Regions. Because Polar species may be particularly sensitive to disturbance and some research suggests behavioral responses to drones are species-specific, there is a need for focal species-specific disturbance assessments. We evaluated behavioral responses of nesting Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima, n =19 incubating females) to first, second, or in a few cases third exposure of fixed-wing drone surveys using nest cameras. We found no effect of drone flights (F1,23 = 0, P < 1.0) or previous exposures (F1,23 = 0.75, P = 0.397) on the probability of a daily recess event (bird leaves nests). Drone flights did not impact recess length (F1,25 = 1.34, P = 0.26); however, eiders with prior drone exposure took longer recess events (F1,25 = 5.27, P = 0.03). We did not observe any overhead vigilance behaviors common in other species while the drone was in the air, which may reflect eider’s anti-predator strategies of reducing activity at nests in response to aerial predators. Surveying nesting common eider colonies with a fixed-wing drone did not result in biologically meaningful behavioral changes, providing a potential tool for research and monitoring this Polar nesting species.

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“…Assessing the long-term impacts of tourism on polar bear ecology (e.g., effects of increased energetic use, as a result of disturbance, on body condition) would require a study design well above the capabilities of drones (indeed more suitable for radio collars); however behavioural observations of individual bears at these viewing areas are plausible. If flown at an appropriate altitude so as not to influence bears' vigilance behaviour further (Barnas et al 2020), drones can be used to assess the vigilance behaviour of bears in response to tundra buggy "commotion" and "distance" (Dyck and Baydack 2004) as unnecessary movement caused by disturbance can influence polar bears' energetic expenditures (Dyck and Baydack 2004;Eckhardt 2005). Understanding the magnitude tourism has on polar bear behaviour will be informative for management decisions associated with polar bear viewing activities.…”

Section: Human-bear Interactionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…limitation/biases by allowing researchers to observe polar bears safely and without influencing the animals' behaviours(LaForge et al 2017;Barnas et al 2020; but seeMeek et al 2016; …”

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confidence: 99%

The utility of drones for studying polar bear behaviour in the Canadian Arctic: opportunities and recommendations

et al. 2022

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Climate-induced sea-ice loss represents the greatest threat to polar bears (Ursus maritimus), and utilizing drones to characterize behavioural responses to sea-ice loss is valuable to forecasting polar bear persistence. In this manuscript, we review previously published literature and draw on our own experience of using multirotor aerial drones to study polar bear behaviour in the Canadian Arctic. Specifically, we suggest that drones can minimize human-bear conflicts by allowing users to observe bears from a safe vantage point; produce high-quality behavioural data that can be reviewed as many times as needed and shared with multiple stakeholders; and foster knowledge generation through co-production with northern communities. We posit that in some instances drones may be considered as an alternative tool for studying polar bear foraging behaviour, interspecific interactions, human-bear interactions, human safety and conflict mitigation, and den-site location at individual-level, small spatial scales. Finally, we discuss flying techniques to ensure ethical operation around polar bears, regulatory requirements to consider, and recommend that future research focus on understanding polar bears’ behavioural and physiological responses to drones and the efficacy of drones as a deterrent tool for safety purposes.

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A phenological comparison of grizzly (Ursus arctos) and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) as waterfowl nest predators in Wapusk National Park

Cited by 8 publications

References 39 publications

Bear presence attracts avian predators but does not impact lesser snow goose daily nest attendance

Bear presence attracts avian predators but does not impact lesser snow goose daily nest attendance

Nesting Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima) show little behavioral response to fixed-wing drone surveys

The utility of drones for studying polar bear behaviour in the Canadian Arctic: opportunities and recommendations

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