Progress 02/01/09 to 01/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Through newspaper interviews, publication of popular articles, various presentations, and our project website. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1. We have conducted seasonal and annual habitat use as well as den sites for >20 black bears. 2. We have quantified home range sizes and inferred movement patterns, especially at the population level colonization scale for movements. 3. We have provided recommendations to the respective state agency, particularly those related to den resource use, primarily through publications. 4. We were unable to compare the existing habitat suitability model as the original data from a previous student was lost or inadvertently destroyed. But we have developed a new habitat model based on data from this project. 5. We have provided information in the form of presentations, popular articles, and media interviews. We also have developed a project website: http://www.fwrc.msstate.edu/carnivore/msbear/
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Waller, B.W., J.L. Belant, B.D. Leopold, B.W. Young, S.L. Simek, and D.L. Evans. 2014. Influence of landscape attributes on American black bear den-site selection in Mississippi. Mammal Study 39:115-119.
|
Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Provided laboratory exercise for Human-Wildlife Conflicts class on bear capture and handling Provided laboratory exercise for Wildlife Techniques class on bear den investigations Provided 3 professional presentations and 3 presentations to the general public. Changes/Problems: The major change is we will not be able to directly assess the suitability of the original habitat suitability model for black bears in Mississippi (Bowman 2000). The reason is the data was lost by the author of this earlier work. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Yes, we have distributed information to the general public and scientific audiences via oral and poster presentations and peer-reviewed publications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Habitat loss through deforestation has dramatically reduced the range of black bears throughout the Southeastern Coastal Plain, including Mississippi (Wooding et al. 1994). Recent large-scale reforestation efforts in Mississippi (>800,000 acres) are potentially increasing suitable habitat for black bears. However, the suitability of current and recently established forested areas and the degree of connectivity among these areas for black bears has not been addressed. Quantifying habitat suitability is a high priority for black bear conservation in Mississippi (Young 2006) and is necessary to ensure long-term viability of this small, but increasing population. Black bear habitat use data specific to Mississippi is not presently available. We propose to build on and expand current efforts to quantify black bear habitat use and spatial ecology. The project goal is to characterize aspects of black bear ecology in relation to extent and type of forested lands and to validate and refine a previous black bear habitat suitability model (Bowman 2000). Black bears in Mississippi will be captured opportunistically throughout the year and specifically during den checks. Select bears will receive a global positioning system collar that will obtain >1 location/day. Location data retrieved from collars will be used to model seasonal black bear habitat use and also validate an expert opinion habitat suitability model developed previously at Mississippi State University. Location data will also allow estimates of home range and dispersal distances, critical for understanding how black bears may recolonize Mississippi. Results will provide a comprehensive assessment of black bear habitat suitability throughout Mississippi, including an assessment of corridors linking areas of highly suitable habitat. Additionally, understanding bear movement patterns will provide for estimates of colonization potential for this species. Collectively, study results will increase success of management programs designed to improve the conservation status of black bears in Mississippi. The project goal is to characterize aspects of black bear ecology and to validate and refine a previous black bear habitat suitability model to enhance management of this species throughout Mississippi. Objectives: 1. Estimate resource use (i.e., seasonal habitat, den sites) and spatial ecology (i.e., home range size, movements) by black bears; We have completed den site resource use studies that have now been published (Waller et al. 2012, 2013). 2. Validate existing black bear habitat suitability model and estimate corridor use. We have completed analyses of seasonal black bear habitat use and will estimate corridor use during the next reporting period. Further we will complete write-up of seasonal habitat use during the next reporting period. 3. Provide recommendations from outcomes 1-2 to enhance black bear habitat suitability (e.g., suitable travel corridor widths, degree of habitat fragmentation that allows occupancy by black bears, preferred den site characteristics). This will be completed during the next reporting period. 4. Validate current black bear habitat use model. Unable to complete this objective as specified. Determined that original data used to develop previous habitat model was lost by the original investigators of this earlier work. 5. Provide state-specific information on black bear ecology that can be used in education programs. This is currently ongoing. We have used this information in 3 professional presentations and 3 public presentations during the reporting period.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Waller, B.W., J.L. Belant, B.D. Leopold, D.L. Evans, B.W. Young, and S.L. Simek. 2013. Scale-dependent den-site selection by American black bears in Mississippi. Mammal Study 38:211-216.
|
Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: All den work and summer capture work was successfully completed. We made the following presentations to various stakeholder groups and general public: Simek, S., J.L. Belant, and B. Young. 2012. Home range and habitat selection of American black bears in Mississippi. Mississippi Bear Education and Restoration Group meeting, Rolling Fork, Mississippi. Simek, S., J.L. Belant, and B. Young. 2012. Recolonization potential of American black bears in Mississippi. Cooperative Wildlife Research Summit, Mississippi State University, Mississippi. Simek, S., J.L. Belant, and B. Young. 2012. Recolonization potential of American black bears in Mississippi. Mississippi Bear Education and Restoration Group meeting, Jackson, Mississippi. Waller, B., J.L. Belant, and B. Young. 2012. Scale-dependent den-site selection by American black bears. Cooperative Wildlife Research Summit, Mississippi State University, Mississippi. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals Jerrold Belant, Principal Investigator Brittany Waller, MS student Stephanie Simk, PhD student Partner Organizations Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks TARGET AUDIENCES: We made several presentations on research outcomes to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks as well as the general public. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
We learned that black bears used tree and ground dens equally frequently and selected den sites with dense understory vegetation to reduce risk.
Publications
- Simek, S.L., J.L. Belant, B.W. Young, C. Shropshire, and B.D. Leopold. 2012. History and status of American black bears in Mississippi. Ursus 23:159-167.
|
Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities: Conducted aerial telemetry surveys to locate radio-collared bears. Conducted general linear models anslyses of black bear habitat use. Trained three undergraduate students in field procedures for capturing, handling, and marking black bears. Events: Project personnel provided the following presentations at conferences. Simek, S.L., Belant, J.L., and Young, B. 2011. Colonization of American black bears in Mississippi. Cooperative Wildlife Research Summit, Mississippi State University, Mississippi. Simek, S.L., Belant, J.L., and Young, B. 2011. Colonization of American black bear in Mississippi. Southeastern Natural Resources Graduate Student Symposium, Mississippi State, Mississippi (Poster). Simek, S.L., Belant, J.L., and Young, B. 2011. American black bear colonization in Mississippi. 20th Eastern Black Bear Workshop, Hendersonville, North Carolina (Poster). Simek, S.L., Belant, J.L., Young, B., Shropshire, C. and Leopold, B.D. 2011. History and status of American black bear in Mississippi. Mississippi State Chapter, The Wildlife Society, Louisville, Mississippi (Poster). Waller, B., Belant, J.L., and Young, B. 2011. Multi-scale den-site selection by American black bears in Mississippi. Cooperative Wildlife Research Summit, Mississippi State University, Mississippi. Waller, B., Belant, J.L., and Young, B. 2011. Multi-scale den-site selection by American black bears in Mississippi. Southeastern Natural Resources Graduate Student Symposium, Mississippi State, Mississippi (Poster). Waller, B., Belant, J.L., and Young, B. 2011. Denning chronology and den characteristics of black bears in Mississippi. 20th Eastern Black Bear Workshop, Hendersonville, North Carolina (Poster). Waller, B., Belant, J.L., and Young, B., Leopold, B.D., and Simek, S.L. 2011. Denning chronology and den characteristics of black bears in Mississippi. Mississippi State Chapter, The Wildlife Society, Louisville, Mississippi (Poster). Services: Nothing to report. Products: Initiated development of Mississippi Black Bear Project website. Continued collection of blood and tissue samples for future genetic analyses. Dissemination: Participated in Great Delta Bear Affair, providing presentations to adults and 4th-5th grade students on black bear ecology and conservation. PARTICIPANTS: Brittany Waller, MS student, Mississippi State University Jerrold Belant, Associate Professor, Mississippi State University Brad Young, Black Bear Program Leader, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks TARGET AUDIENCES: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks gained knowledge of black bear spatial ecology and denning ecology. General public was provided information on black bear ecology and conservation at the Great Delta Bear Affair. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Changes in knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of scale-dependent den-site selection by black bears. Demonstrated that selection for dense horizontal cover at 100-m scale best describes black bear den-sites. Confirmed suspected importance of large trees with cavities as black bear denning structures. Demonstrated avoidance of roads (surrogate for human activity) by black bears at multiple spatial scales. Roads were most influential in describing black bear den-site selection at autumn and annual home ranges.
Publications
- Waller, B.W., Belant, J.L., Young, B.W., Leopold, B.D., and Simek, S.L. (2012) Denning chronology and den characteristics of American black bears in Mississippi. Ursus, 23(1): (in press).
|
Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities: 1. Conducted black bear live captures for radio telemetry efforts in Mississippi Delta. 2. Conducted assessment of black bear den site characteristics statewide. 3. Mentored three undergraduate students in black bear ecology and management using a formal undergraduate internship course (WFA 3000) within Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University. Events: 1. Provided two oral presentations on black bear recolonization of Mississipi and black bear denning ecology at Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Cooperative Wildlife Research Summit. 2. Provided oral presentation on black bear ecology and bear-human wildlife interactions at Great Delta Bear Affair, Rolling Fork, Mississippi. 3. Provided oral presentation on black bear ecology and management at the Forest and Wildlife Research Applications Conference. PARTICIPANTS: Project personnel: Dr. Jerrold L. Belant, Principal Investigator, Mississippi State University Ms. Stephanie Simek, Ph.D. Student, Mississippi State University Mr. Brad Young, Black Bear Program Manager, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Presentation to 500 citizens at the Great Delta Bear Affair in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, enhanced awareness of black bear occurrence, ecological importance, behavior, and means for positive black bear-human interactions.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities included setting culvert traps and Aldrich foot snares in areas of high bear activity during May through July 2009. Project personnel captured and attached global positioning system radio collars to 7 black bears primarily within the Delta Region of Mississippi. Bait feeders were designed, constructed, and placed in several areas of southeastern Mississippi in efforts to attract bears for possible capture. Selection and hiring of an additional graduate student occurred in July. This student's research component of the overall study will emphasize selection of dens sites for which the following proposal was developed: Waller, B. W. 2009. Multi-scale den-site selection by American black bears in Mississippi. M.S. Thesis research proposal, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, USA. Twelve previous black bear dens were visited and data collected based on methodologies presented in the thesis research proposal. In addition, 3 quarterly reports and 1 annual report were written providing summaries of field and academic activities. Events included 2 poster presentations at the Mississippi State Chapter of the Wildlife Society in October 2009 titled 'Colonization of American black bears in Mississippi' and 'Multi-scale den-site selection by American black bears in Mississippi'. Oral presentations on project activities were given to the Mississippi BEaR organization in addition to the general publich at the Great Delta Bear Affair in Rolling Fork, Mississippi. In addition, project personnel conducted 1 radio and 1 newspaper interview discussing project goals and objectives. Products included collection of tissue samples from captured bears for proposed future genetic analyses and development of two posters detailing primary objectives of this project. Posters were displayed at the Mississippi State Chapter of The Wildlife Society meeting in Jackson, Mississippi. PARTICIPANTS: Principal Investigator: Jerrold L. Belant, Assistant Professor, Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University. Project personnel: Brittany Waller, MS student, Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University. Partner Organizations: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; BEaR group of Mississippi; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Training or professional development: Tree-climbing training to 4 graduate students. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences: general public of Mississippi; Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks; and BEaR Group of Mississippi. Efforts: Presentations to general public at the Great Delta Bear Affair in Rolling Fork Mississippi as well as information transfer through radio and newspaper interviews. Professional presentations of project objectives and initial results provided to Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and BEaR Group of Mississippi. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Change in knowledge occurred through conduct of formal literature review and development of procedures and proposal to address project objectives. In addition, skills in written and oral communication were enhanced during this process.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
|