Donelon, Steve. 2004. The Influence of Human Use on Fine Scale, Spatial
and Temporal Patterns of Grizzly Bears in the Bow Valley of Alberta.
Master’s Degree, Environment and Management, Royal Roads University,
Victoria, B.C.
Note: The abstract for this Master’s Degree Project
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The Influence of Human Use on
Fine Scale, Spatial and Temporal Patterns
of
Grizzly Bears in the Bow Valley of Alberta
By Steve Donelon
(a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
of
Master of Science in Environment and Management, Royal Roads University,
Victoria, B.C.)
ABSTRACT
I examined fine scale spatial and temporal
relationships between grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) and trails and
developed sites, in two separate areas in the Bow Valley between 2000 and
2003. These relationships were compared for distinct pre-berry and berry
foraging seasons using GPS telemetry collars, deployed on four bears in
the Canmore area and five bear in the Lake Louise area, and time-recording
human use counters on trails.
Diurnal patterns of bear movement activity, examined for six diurnal
periods, found significantly shorter mean and median linear one-hour
movements occurring during darkness than at any other time of day. This
result was consistent for all nine study bears in the Canmore and Lake
Louise areas.
Bears in the Canmore area selected areas near trails more than expected
during both foraging seasons whereas bears in the Lake Louise area
selected these same locations less than expected. An analysis of the
diurnal distribution of bear locations in high human use zones at Quarry
Lake in the Canmore area and the Lake Louise ski hill demonstrated that
bears in both locations used these areas less than expected when human use
on trails in the area approaches on event per hour.
A logistic regression model was developed to predict the likelihood of
grizzly bear locations occurring within 100 metres of trails. The model
provides a very good prediction (91.9% correct) during the berry season
for bears in the Canmore area. However the model was unsuccessful in
predicting locations for either area during the pre-berry season or for
Lake Louise bears during the berry season.
Findings from this research have highlighted both differences and
similarities, in the activity patterns and response to human activity, of
two sub-populations of grizzly bears in the Central Rockies Ecosystem of
Alberta. The results point to the need for site-specific understanding of
bear behaviour and adaptive management approaches.
Removing attractants to bears (i.e. Sheperdia canadensis) in areas of high
human use, enhancing habitats in areas of low human use, managing human
activity in high use areas and planning trails and developments to avoid
interaction with bears, are all important components to ensuring the
persistence of grizzly bears in this region.
© Steve Donelon, 2004
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