Kansas, John L. 2003. Effects of Mapping Scale, Disturbance
Coefficients and Season on Grizzly Bear Habitat Effectiveness Models in
Kananaskis Country, Alberta. Master’s Degree Project, Resources and the
Environment Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
Note: The abstract for this Master’s Degree Project
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Effects of Mapping Scale,
Disturbance Coefficients and Season on Grizzly Bear Habitat Effectiveness
Models in Kananaskis Country, Alberta
By John L. Kansas
(a thesis submitted to the Faculty of
Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the reqirements for the degree
of
Master of Science, Resources and the Environment Program, University of
Calgary)
ABSTRACT
Habitat effectiveness (HE) modeling was conducted for 13
Bear Management Units (BMU’s) in Kananaskis Country, Alberta. Three
digital human use maps were developed differing only in their disturbance
coefficients for human use features. These maps were overlain with grizzly
bear habitat suitability maps derived from three levels (scales) of
habitat mapping. Differences in disturbance coefficients did not
significantly change HE values for BMUs between any combination of map
levels. Physiographic location of BMUs (i.e. Front Ranges vs. Foothills)
was found to significantly change habitat effectiveness values between all
combinations of map levels. Differences in season caused significant
changes in mean habitat effectiveness only when the most detailed mapping
level that included topography was included in the comparison. Changes in
disturbance coefficients and physiographic location were found to strongly
change habitat effectiveness values within all map levels. It is
recommended that topography be integrated into grizzly bear habitat models
in order to detect seasonal effects.
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