Analyzing the influence of habitat, reproductive class and season on the location of black bear conflict sites in Whistler, B.C.
Primary Research Questions
- What habitat attributes predict the location of human-black bear conflicts?
- Do reproductive status and season affect the spatial distribution of conflict?
Abstract
Human disturbance effects are increasingly incorporated into resource selection studies on carnivores, and this is especially true for bears. Of particular interest are bear populations that forage on human food while simultaneously negotiating humans as a risk. This study assesses the spatial distribution of black bears (Ursus americanus) in Whistler, B.C. and quantifies habitat features that predispose sites to human-bear conflict. Black bears (n=51) were captured, collared and monitored for the period of 2005-2007. All behaviour and conflict activity was recorded. The landscape was parameterized based on relevant bear foraging and travel habitats using spatial modelling of Euclidean distances. Locations of conflict activity were spatialized within the GIS environment and fixed kernel methods were employed to create a probability density surface. Multiple models were created to represent different seasons, genders and reproductive states. When results are complete, they will contribute to the understanding of how bears of different reproductive status interact with humans when foraging in different seasons, elucidating the importance of the risk-forage trade off.
