A new study by University of Alberta biologists shows black bear populations are lowest on Crown land and most dense on national park land, followed by private land, highlighting issues for management and conservation efforts.
A new study by University of Alberta biologists shows black bear populations are lowest on Crown land and most dense on national park land, followed by private land, highlighting issues for management and conservation efforts.
“We might have thought that Crown land would host more black bears,” said ecologist Mark Boyce. “However, many bears appear to have been displaced onto private lands, likely due to excessive use of Crown land for recreation, like quadding, camping and motorbiking.”
In the study—the first comprehensive analysis of the black bear population in Alberta in more than 30 years—researchers used bear hair samples collected from trees, power poles and fences to identify individuals by DNA and then estimate population size.
“There are a number of possible reasons why density differs by land tenure, such as mortality risk from humans and the availability of foods,” said Annie Loosen, who recently completed her master’s degree under Boyce’s supervision.
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Image via University of Alberta.
