Habitat selection by black bears in an intensively logged boreal forest

Brodeur, Vincent; Ouellet, Jean‐Pierre; Courtois, Réhaume; Fortin, Daniel

doi:10.1139/z08-118

Cited by 106 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Elements of successful tactics pertained to the response of caribou to human activities. Anthropogenic disturbances had asymmetrical consequences on predators and plants (see the electronic supplementary material, table S2 [2,6,42]), and some caribou were able to capitalize on these uneven effects on trophic levels.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Avoidance of roads and selection for recent cutovers by threatened caribou: fitness-rewarding or maladaptive behaviour?

et al. 2012

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The impact of anthropogenic disturbance on the fitness of prey should depend on the relative effect of human activities on different trophic levels. This verification remains rare, however, especially for large animals. We investigated the functional link between habitat selection of female caribou (Rangifer tarandus) and the survival of their calves, a fitness correlate. This top-down controlled population of the threatened forestdwelling caribou inhabits a managed forest occupied by wolves (Canis lupus) and black bears (Ursus americanus). Sixty-one per cent of calves died from bear predation within two months following their birth. Variation in habitat selection tactics among mothers resulted in different mortality risks for their calves. When calves occupied areas with few deciduous trees, they were more likely to die from predation if the local road density was high. Although caribou are typically associated with pristine forests, females selected recent cutovers without negative impact on calf survival. This selection became detrimental, however, as regeneration took place in harvested stands owing to increased bear predation. We demonstrate that human disturbance has asymmetrical consequences on the trophic levels of a food web involving multiple large mammals, which resulted in habitat selection tactics with a greater short-term fitness payoff and, therefore, with higher evolutionary opportunity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Avoidance of roads and selection for recent cutovers by threatened caribou: fitness-rewarding or maladaptive behaviour?

et al. 2012

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“…This flush in ericaceous productivity is an important phase of forest succession, providing a valuable habitat for wildlife. For instance, increasing the foraging opportunities of black bears [43] that are known to prefer seismic lines over forest stands, particularly in mid-to-late-summer due to increased berry production [44]. Indigenous peoples also benefit from post-fire resources with fire historically used to maintain a mosaic of successional stages that increase the diversity and abundance of forest resources, including berries from Vaccinium species [45].…”

Section: Management Implications: Fire and Seismic Linesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Linear Disturbances and Fire Severity on Velvet Leaf Blueberry Abundance, Vigor, and Berry Production in Recently Burned Jack Pine Forests

Dawe

Filicetti

Nielsen

2017

Forests

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Abstract:There is limited information on how velvet leaf blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides Michx.) responds to fires and existing small forest gaps associated with narrow linear disturbances. We measured the effects of narrow forest linear gaps from seismic lines used for oil and gas exploration versus adjacent (control) forests across a fire severity (% tree mortality) gradient on the presence, abundance (cover), vigor (height), and berry production of Vaccinium myrtilloides in recently (five-year) burned jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) forests near Fort McMurray, Alberta. Presence was greatest in forests that experienced low to moderately-high fire severities with declines at high fire severity. Abundance did not differ among seismic lines or adjacent forest, nor did it differ along a fire severity gradient. In contrast, vigor and berry production were greater on seismic lines compared to adjacent forests with fire severity positively affecting berry production, but not plant vigor. After controlling for changes in plant cover and vigor, berry production still increased with fire severity and within seismic lines compared with adjacent forests. Our findings suggest that narrow gaps from linear disturbances and fire severity interact to affect the fecundity (berry production) and growth (height) of Vaccinium myrtilloides. This has important implications for assessing the ecological effects of fire on linear disturbances associated with energy exploration in the western boreal forest.

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“…Forestry practices in the boreal forest can have a positive effect on the abundance of foods consumed by American Black Bears, because these species in crease in abundance in young regenerating forest stands (Brodeur et al 2008). early successional areas containing species such as clovers, common Dandelion, Trembling Aspen, and willows are important foraging areas for American Black Bears in the boreal forest in the spring.…”

Section: Variation Among Yearsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal variation in food habits of the American Black Bear (<em>Ursus americanus</em>) in the boreal forest of northern Ontario

Romain¹,

Obbard²,

Atkinson³

2013

Can Field Nat

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We used scat analysis to investigate temporal variation in the food habits of American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) in the boreal forest of northern Ontario. Specifically, we examined whether there was a seasonal shift in foraging over three years (1990–1992) and which foods, if any, varied in occurrence among years. American Black Bears ate foods ranging from green vegetation in the spring to ants in mid-summer and berries and nuts in late summer and fall. Late summer berry forage, especially blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), varied greatly among years. American Black Bears in northern Ontario consumed a variety of foods opportunistically. Understanding how American Black Bears in northern Ontario exploit food resources and how these food items vary among years can provide insights into demographic processes and help wildlife managers better anticipate changes in the structure of the harvest of American Black Bears and in human–bear conflict levels. In northern Ontario, forest management practices that increase the availability of early successional species would be beneficial to American Black Bear populations.

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Habitat selection by black bears in an intensively logged boreal forest

Cited by 106 publications

References 61 publications

Avoidance of roads and selection for recent cutovers by threatened caribou: fitness-rewarding or maladaptive behaviour?

Avoidance of roads and selection for recent cutovers by threatened caribou: fitness-rewarding or maladaptive behaviour?

Effects of Linear Disturbances and Fire Severity on Velvet Leaf Blueberry Abundance, Vigor, and Berry Production in Recently Burned Jack Pine Forests

Temporal variation in food habits of the American Black Bear (<em>Ursus americanus</em>) in the boreal forest of northern Ontario

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