Den selection by grizzly bears on a managed landscape

Pigeon, Karine E.; Nielsen, Scott E.; Stenhouse, Gordon B.; Côté, Steeve D.

doi:10.1644/13-mamm-a-137

Cited by 64 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…To evaluate the ability of the final models to predict habitat selection, we applied a k-fold cross-validation design (Boyce et al 2002;Pigeon et al 2014). The method withholds a random subset of 20% of the individual caribou-calving seasons within the model data set.…”

Section: Model Buildingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seeking sanctuary: the neonatal calving period among central mountain woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou)

Nobert¹,

Milligan²,

Stenhouse³

et al. 2016

Can. J. Zool.

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Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)) populations have declined throughout their range. With the goal of better understanding habitat selection and fidelity during the neonatal calving period (0-4 weeks), we applied a noninvasive method that estimates calving events and subsequent survival based on changes in movement rates among GPS-collared female caribou. We examined a long-term GPS-collar data set (1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014) collected from 81 adult female caribou in two central mountain herds in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada. Although we were unable to validate our results with aerial surveys and pregnancy tests, our estimates of parturition rates, survival rates, calving dates, and habitat selection were consistent with previous studies. We identified 83 calving sites. Female caribou selected calving sites and postparturition habitat on high-elevation ridgetops with gradual slopes and avoided anthropogenic linear features. Female caribou displayed low fidelity to interannual calving ranges with a mean distance of 8.7 km between calving ranges. Fidelity was lower in areas with high seismic-line density. Conservation of high-elevation habitat with limited anthropogenic disturbance is likely to provide the greatest benefit to central mountain caribou during the neonatal calving period, and represents a potential management strategy for population recovery efforts.

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Section: Model Buildingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seeking sanctuary: the neonatal calving period among central mountain woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou)

Nobert¹,

Milligan²,

Stenhouse³

et al. 2016

Can. J. Zool.

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“…Other studies have documented the importance of snow load for bear dens (Vroom et al 1980, McLoughlin et al 2002, Liston et al 2016, Smereka et al 2017; however, the importance of snow load likely decreases in warmer environments (Schoen et al 1987) and/or in areas of greater snowfall where the benefits from snow depth only extend to a point once a critical snow depth is attained (Pigeon et al 2014). This likely explains why brown bears maximized the insulation properties of their dens by selecting for areas with the greatest snow load, which occurred on leeward slopes at higher elevations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We estimated the model likelihood and calculated the resultant Akaike information criterion adjusted for small sample size (AIC c ), thereby allowing us to calculate Akaike weights (w t ), rank, and identify the most parsimonious model. Following Pigeon et al (2014), we used a twostep model selection approach with multiple working hypotheses (Table 1). Following Pigeon et al (2014), we used a twostep model selection approach with multiple working hypotheses (Table 1).…”

Section: Model Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Den‐site characteristics and selection by brown bears (Ursus arctos) in the central Brooks Range of Alaska

et al. 2019

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Selection and use of dens is a critical behavioral adaption of bears (Ursus spp.) to survive extended periods of resource limitation. We analyzed selection of den sites by brown bears (Ursus arctos) in an arctic montane environment from 2014 to 2017. We used GPS data from 51 instrumented bears to physically locate, identify, and describe den sites (n = 33) and to quantitatively model the selection of denning habitat (n = 65 dens over 3 yr). We conducted an analysis of den-site selection at the home range (third order) scale using variables describing topographic, vegetative, and spatially-explicit fish and wildlife models. We hypothesized four main factors influence den-site selection by brown bears: (1) physiography, (2) proximity to food resources, (3) thermal insulation, and (4) den-area fidelity. We used kernel density estimates to define space use and conditional logistic regression to estimate den selection within individual home ranges. Brown bears selected den sites on steep slopes (>31°) with high snow load potential near their previously used den site. Our results supported our hypothesis that den selection by brown bears was related to thermal insulation, structural stability, drainage, and den-area fidelity.

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“…Little is documented about the effects of surface mining on habitat use and populations of grizzly bears. Industrial activities may affect selection of den sites, as bears tend to avoid human activities, including industrial development, when selecting their dens (Linnell et al 2000;Pigeon et al 2014). Human activities\1 km away can cause some bears to abandon their dens and potentially increase cub mortality (Linnell et al 2000).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential conflict between future development of natural resources and high-value wildlife habitats in boreal landscapes

Suzuki

Parker

2016

Biodivers Conserv

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We used the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area in northeast British Columbia, Canada as a case study to determine potential conflicts between future resource development and high-value habitats of large mammals in an undeveloped boreal landscape. More than 50 % of high-value habitats for caribou, moose, elk, wolves and grizzly bears were located in Special Resource Management Zones, where natural resource developments could occur. We developed geographic information system (GIS) layers of potential forest resources, oil and gas, minerals, wind power, all resources combined, and roads; and quantified the proportions of high-value habitats overlapping these potentials. Greater proportions of high-value habitats across seasons for moose, elk, and wolves overlapped areas with high cumulative resource potential (winter, 49-70 %, growing season, 35-63 %) more than for three other species (grizzly bears, Stone's sheep, mountain goats). This pattern was similar for forest resources, oil and gas, wind power, and roads. Caribou were more seasonally influenced. The proportions of their high-value habitat in areas with high cumulative resource potential (winter, 53 %, growing season, 16 %), as well as high forest and oil and gas potentials, were greatest in winter; in contrast, overlap with high mineral potential was greatest during the growing season. We recommend a quantitative and visual GIS approach to scenario planning in the Muskwa-Kechika to maintain the abundance and diversity of wildlife populations there. Resource development would likely increase early seral habitats, presumably benefiting moose, elk, and wolves, but could adversely affect caribou and grizzly bears through habitat loss and increased access.

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Den selection by grizzly bears on a managed landscape

Cited by 64 publications

References 59 publications

Seeking sanctuary: the neonatal calving period among central mountain woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou)

Seeking sanctuary: the neonatal calving period among central mountain woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou)

Den‐site characteristics and selection by brown bears (Ursus arctos) in the central Brooks Range of Alaska

Potential conflict between future development of natural resources and high-value wildlife habitats in boreal landscapes

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