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27 results for “grizzly bear”
Convergent geographic patterns between grizzly bear population genetic structure and Indigenous language groups in coastal British Columbia
<p>Microsatellite loci calls, sex, and mean centre detection per individual (GrizzlyMicroLociMeanXY.csv) and code associated with the paper: "Convergent geographic patterns between grizzly bear population genetic structure and Indigenous language groups in coastal British Columbia". All code is from published R packages or GitHub repositories not created by the author. Code used is best described in these alternate resources. </p>
Data from: Ecology of fear alters behaviour of grizzly bears exposed to bear-viewing ecotourism
<p>Humans are perceived as predators by many species and may generate landscapes of fear, influencing the spatiotemporal activity of wildlife. Additionally, wildlife might seek out human activity when faced with predation risks (human shield hypothesis). We used the Anthropause, a decrease in human activity resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, to test the ecology of fear and human shield hypotheses and quantify the effects of bear-viewing ecotourism on grizzly bear (<em>Ursus arctos</em>) activity. We deployed camera traps in the Khutze watershed in Kitasoo Xai'xais Territory in the absence of humans in 2020 and with experimental treatments of variable human activity when ecotourism resumed in 2021. Daily bear detection rates decreased with more people present and increased with days since people were present. Human activity was also associated with more bear detections at forested sheltered sites, and less at exposed sites, likely due to the influence of habitat on bear perception of safety. The number of people negatively influenced adult male detection rates, but we found no influence on females with young detections, providing no evidence that females responded behaviourally to a human shield effect from reduced male activity. We also observed apparent trade-offs of risk avoidance and foraging. When salmon levels were moderate to high, detected bears were more likely to be females with young than adult males on days with more people present. Should managers want to minimize human impacts on bear activity and maintain baseline age-sex class composition at ecotourism sites, multi-day closures and daily occupancy limits may be effective. More broadly, this work revealed that antipredator responses can vary with the intensity of risk cues, habitat structure, and forage trade-offs, as well as manifest as the altered age-sex class composition of individuals using human-influenced areas, highlighting that wildlife avoids people across multiple spatiotemporal scales.</p>
Density and genetic diversity of grizzly bears at the northern edge of their distribution
<p>Species at the periphery of their range are typically limited in density by lower habitat quality. As a result, the Central-Marginal Hypothesis (CMH) predicts a decline in genetic diversity of populations towards the periphery of a species' range. Grizzly bears (<em>Ursus</em> <em>arctos</em>) once ranged throughout most of North America but have been extirpated from nearly half of their former range, mainly in the south. They are considered a species at risk even in Canada's remote North, where they occupy the northernmost edge of the species' continental distribution in a low-productivity tundra environment. With climate change, one of their main food items in the tundra (caribou), which has always shown yearly fluctuations, is declining, but simultaneously, grizzlies appear to be expanding their range northward, in tundra environment. Yet, a lack of population density estimates across the North is hindering effective conservation action. The CMH has implications for the viability of peripheral populations, and the links between population fluctuations, potential bottlenecks and genetic diversity need to be determined to contribute to species' conservation. Using non-invasive genetic sampling from 2012 to 2014, and autosomal DNA genotyping (via-microsatellites), we estimated bear density using a spatial capture-recapture framework and analysed genetic diversity using observed heterozygosity (H<sub>o</sub>), Allelic Richness (AR), and expected heterozygosity (H<sub>e</sub>). We compared our findings to other studies that used comparable methodologies on this and a related species (Black bears; Ursus americanus). We found densities of grizzly bears that were low for the species but characteristic for the region (5.9 ± 0.4 bears/1000 km<sup>2</sup>), but with high H<sub>o</sub> (0.81 ± 0.05), AR (7 ± 0.78) and H<sub>e</sub> (0.71 ± 0.03), despite a signal of recent bottlenecks. In both species, peripherality was not correlated with H<sub>o</sub> but was negatively correlated with density. We suggest that the apparent growth of this expanding population of grizzlies offsets the negative impacts of recent bottlenecks on H<sub>o</sub>. Indigenous Knowledge provides historical context (on the order of centuries – e.g., arctic large mammal fluctuations, grizzly bear bottlenecks) for the current bear population dynamics (on the order of decades – e.g., climate change, northern grizzly bear expansion).</p>
Data from: Ecology of fear alters behaviour of grizzly bears exposed to bear-viewing ecotourism
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Data from: One-stage spatial mark-resight analysis reveals an increasing grizzly bear population with declining density near roads
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Density and genetic diversity of grizzly bears at the northern edge of their distribution
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Divergent values and perspectives drive three distinct viewpoints on grizzly bear reintroduction in Washington, USA
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Data from: Multiple estimates of effective population size for monitoring a long-lived vertebrate: an application to Yellowstone grizzly bears
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Data from: Camera-based occupancy monitoring at large scales: power to detect trends in grizzly bears across the Canadian Rockies
Monitoring carnivores is critical for conservation, yet challenging because they are rare and elusive. Few methods exist for monitoring wide-ranging species over large spatial and sufficiently long temporal scales to detect trends. Remote cameras are an emerging technology for monitoring large carnivores around the world because of their low cost, non-invasive methodology, and their ability to capture pictures of species of concern that are difficult to monitor. For species without uniquely identifiable spots, stripes, or other markings, cameras collect detection/non-detection data that are well suited for monitoring trends in occupancy as its own independent useful metric of species distribution, as well as an index for abundance. As with any new monitoring method, prospective power analysis is essential to ensure meaningful trends can be detected. Here we test camera-based occupancy models as a method to monitor changes in occupancy of a threatened species, grizzly bears (Ursus arctos), at large landscape scales, across 5 Canadian national parks (~21,000 km2). With n = 183 cameras, the top occupancy model estimated regional occupancy to be 0.79 across all 5 parks. We evaluate the statistical power to detect simulated 5–40% declines in occupancy between two sampling years and test applied questions of how power is affected by the spatial scale of interest (park level vs. regional level), the number of cameras deployed, and duration of camera deployment. We also explore several ecological mechanisms (i.e., spatial patterns) of decline in occupancy, and examine how power changes when focusing only on grizzly bears family groups. As hypothesized, statistical power increased with the number of cameras and with the number of days deployed. Power was unaffected, however, by the ecological mechanisms of decline, indicating that our systematic sampling design can detect a decline regardless of whether occupancy declined due to range edge attrition, ecological trap or other mechanisms. Despite their lower occupancy, power was similarly high for grizzly bear family groups compared to grizzly bears in general. We highlight which study design attributes contributed to high power and we provide advice for establishing cost-effective camera-based programs for monitoring large carnivore occupancy at large spatial scales.
Data from: Natural regeneration on seismic lines influences movement behaviour of wolves and grizzly bears
Across the boreal forest of Canada, habitat disturbance is the ultimate cause of caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) declines. Habitat restoration is a focus of caribou recovery efforts, with a goal to finding ways to reduce predator use of disturbances, and caribou-predator encounters. One of the most pervasive disturbances within caribou ranges in Alberta, Canada are seismic lines cleared for energy exploration. Seismic lines facilitate predator movement, and although vegetation on some seismic lines is regenerating, it remains unknown whether vegetation regrowth is sufficient to alter predator response. We used Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data, and GPS locations, to understand how vegetation and other attributes of seismic lines influence movements of two predators, wolves (Canis lupus) and grizzly bears (Ursus arctos). During winter, wolves moved towards seismic lines regardless of vegetation height, while during spring wolves moved towards seismic lines with higher vegetation. During summer, wolves moved towards seismic lines with lower vegetation and also moved faster near seismic lines with vegetation <0.7 m. Seismic lines with lower vegetation height were preferred by grizzly bears during spring and summer, but there was no relationship between vegetation height and grizzly bear movement rates. These results suggest that wolves use seismic lines for travel during summer, but during winter wolf movements relative to seismic lines could be influenced by factors additional to movement efficiency; potentially enhanced access to areas frequented by ungulate prey. Grizzly bears may be using seismic lines for movement, but could also be using seismic lines as a source of vegetative food or ungulate prey. To reduce wolf movement rate, restoration could focus on seismic lines with vegetation <1 m in height. However our results revealed that seismic lines continue to influence wolf movement behaviour decades after they were built, and even at later stages of regeneration. Therefore it remains unknown at what stage of natural regeneration, if any, wolves cease to respond to seismic lines. To reduce wolf response to seismic lines, active restoration tactics like blocking seismic lines and tree planting, along with management of alternate prey, could be evaluated.
Data from: Generalized spatial mark-resight models with an application to grizzly bears
1. The high cost associated with capture-recapture studies presents a major challenge when monitoring and managing wildlife populations. Recently-developed spatial mark-resight (SMR) models were proposed as a cost-effective alternative because they only require a single marking event. However, existing SMR models ignore the marking process and make the tenuous assumption that marked and unmarked populations have the same encounter probabilities. This assumption will be violated in most situations because the marking process results in different spatial distributions of marked and unmarked animals. 2. We developed a generalized SMR model that includes sub-models for the marking and resighting processes, thereby relaxing the assumption that marked and unmarked populations have the same spatial distributions and encounter probabilities. 3. Our simulation study demonstrated that conventional SMR models produce biased density estimates with low credible interval coverage when marked and unmarked animals had differing spatial distributions. In contrast, generalized SMR models produced unbiased density estimates with correct credible interval coverage in all scenarios. 4. We applied our SMR model to grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) data where the marking process occurred along a transportation route through Banff and Yoho National Parks, Canada. Twenty-two grizzly bears were trapped, fitted with radio-collars, and then detected along with unmarked bears on 214 remote cameras. Closed population density estimates (posterior median + 1 SD) averaged from 2012 to 2014 were much lower for conventional SMR models (7.4 + 1.0 bears per 1,000 km2) than for generalized SMR models (12.4 + 1.5). When compared to previous DNA-based estimates, conventional SMR estimates erroneously suggested a 51% decline in density. Conversely, generalized SMR estimates were similar to previous estimates, indicating that the grizzly bear population was relatively stable. 5. Synthesis and application. Conventional SMR models that ignore the marking process should only be used when marked and unmarked animals share the same spatial distribution, such as when a subset of the population has natural marks. Generalized SMR models that include the marking process are much more widely applicable. They represent a promising new approach for reducing the costs of studies aimed at understanding spatial and temporal variation in density.24-May-2017
Data from: Camera-based occupancy monitoring at large scales: power to detect trends in grizzly bears across the Canadian Rockies
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Data from: Natural regeneration on seismic lines influences movement behaviour of wolves and grizzly bears
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Data from: Effects of habitat quality and access management on the density of a recovering grizzly bear population
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Data from: Generalized spatial mark-resight models with an application to grizzly bears
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Field and Genetic Profile Data for Grizzly Bear Hair-Snag Sampling and Scat Sampling along Roads in North America
<p>These datasets contain field or genetic profile data for grizzly bear hair-snag sampling and scat sampling along roads in North America. See method details in the published article: Phoebus et al. 2020. A Comparison of Grizzly Bear Hair-Snag Sampling and Systematic Scat Sampling along Roads to Inform Wildlife Population Monitoring. Wildlife Biology, WLB-00697. </p> <p>An inadequate sample in the field data means that the particular lab test failed (i.e. species, sex or individual identification test) likely due to poor sample quality (i.e. too little DNA in the sample). </p>
Thermal constraints on energy balance, behavior, and spatial distribution of grizzly bears
<p>1. Heat dissipation limit theory posits that energy available for growth and reproduction in endotherms is limited by their ability to dissipate heat. In mammals, endogenous heat production increases markedly during gestation and lactation, and thus female mammals may be subject to greater thermal constraints on energy expenditure than males. Such constraints likely have important implications for behavior and population performance in a warming climate.</p> <p>2. We used a mechanistic simulation model based on first principles of heat and mass transfer to study thermal constraints on activity (both timing and intensity) of captive female grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in current and future climate scenarios. We then quantified the relative importance of regulatory behaviors for maintaining heat balance using GPS telemetry locations of lactating versus non-lactating female bears from Yellowstone National Park, and assessed the degree to which costs of thermoregulation constrained the distribution of sampled bears in space and time.</p> <p>3. Lactating female bears benefitted considerably more from behavioral cooling mechanisms (e.g., partial submersion in cool water or bedding on cool substrate) than non-lactating females in our simulations; the availability of water for thermoregulation increased the number of hours during which lactating females could be active by up to 60% under current climatic conditions and by up to 43% in the future climate scenario. Moreover, even in the future climate scenario lactating bears were able to achieve heat balance 24 hrs/day by thermoregulating behaviorally when water was available to facilitate cooling.</p> <p>4. The most important predictor of female grizzly bear distribution in Yellowstone, regardless of reproductive status, was elevation. However, variables associated with the thermal environment occurred with greater frequency in rules for predicting the distribution of lactating than non-lactating female bears. </p> <p>5. Our results suggest that the costs of heat dissipation, which are modulated by climate, may impose constraints on the behavior and energetics of large endotherms like grizzly bears, and that access to water for cooling will likely be an increasingly important driver of grizzly bear distribution in Yellowstone as the climate continues to warm.</p>
Data from: The role of human outdoor recreation in shaping patterns of grizzly bear-black bear co-occurrence
Species distributions are influenced by a combination of landscape variables and biotic interactions with other species, including people. Grizzly bears and black bears are sympatric, competing omnivores that also share habitats with human recreationists. By adapting models for multi-species occupancy analysis, we analyzed trail camera data from 192 trail camera locations in and around Jasper National Park, Canada to estimate grizzly bear and black bear occurrence and intensity of trail use. We documented (a) occurrence of grizzly bears and black bears relative to habitat variables (b) occurrence and intensity of use relative to competing bear species and motorised and non-motorised recreational activity, and (c) temporal overlap in activity patterns among the two bear species and recreationists. Grizzly bears were spatially separated from black bears, selecting higher elevations and locations farther from roads. Both species co-occurred with motorised and non-motorised recreation, however, grizzly bears reduced their intensity of use of sites with motorised recreation present. Black bears showed higher temporal activity overlap with recreational activity than grizzly bears, however differences in bear daily activity patterns between sites with and without motorised and non-motorised recreation were not significant. Reduced intensity of use by grizzly bears of sites where motorised recreation was present is a concern given off-road recreation is becoming increasingly popular in North America, and can negatively influence grizzly bear recovery by reducing foraging opportunities near or on trails. Camera traps and multi-species occurrence models offer non-invasive methods for identifying how habitat use by animals changes relative to sympatric species, including humans. These conclusions emphasise the need for integrated land-use planning, access management, and grizzly bear conservation efforts to consider the implications of continued access for motorised recreation in areas occupied by grizzly bears.
Data from: Grizzly bear response to spatio-temporal variability in human recreational activity.
1. Outdoor recreation on trail networks is a growing form of disturbance for wildlife. However, few studies have examined behavioural responses by large carnivores to motorised and non-motorised recreational activity-- a knowledge gap that has implications for the success of human access management aimed at improving habitat quality for wildlife. 2. We used an integrated step-selection analysis of grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) radiotelemetry data and a spatio-temporal model of motorised and non-motorised human recreational activity to examine the effect of human recreational activity along trails on both habitat selection and movement behaviour of individual bears. Grizzly bears were captured and radiocollared in the west-central Alberta Rocky Mountains and Foothills, and trail cameras were deployed on trails to obtain data on human recreational activity. 3. We found that models including data on recreational activity outperformed trail-proximity models when interactions with movement covariates were included. Responses were highly variable among individuals, and across classes; males, females and females with cubs. 4. Male and solitary female grizzly bears increased avoidance of trails with a high probability of motorised activity, as well as displaying increased movement rates in response to motorised recreation. Females with cubs did not increase avoidance, however they had the largest response with higher movement rates. In contrast, for all classes selection for proximity to trail increased when probability of non-motorised activity was high, and the effect on movement was dampened relative to the motorised response. 5. Synthesis and applications. By combining selection and movement into a unified modelling framework, we show that bears alter selection and movement behaviour in response to trails and recreation, and that such responses are determined by the type of recreational activity. Reduced selection and increased movement in proximity to motorised trails could affect bears' ability to exploit foraging opportunities in these areas. Future access management actions for grizzly bear recovery should consider frequency and type of linear feature use by humans rather than solely relying on thresholds relating to feature densities.
Supplementary material 1 from: Put JE, Put L, St. Clair CC (2017) Caching behaviour by red squirrels may contribute to food conditioning of grizzly bears. Nature Conservation 21: 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.21.12429
Video of grizzly bear digging into a red squirrel midden : Data type: MPG video file
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