Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
COLLEGE OF FORESTRY AND CONSERVATION
MISSOULA,MT 59812
Performing Department
College of Forestry and Conservation
Non Technical Summary
The purpose of this proposal is to perform specific tasks in support of developing and maintaining a comprehensive database for the grizzly bear population of the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem. This database is needed by the U.S. Geological Survey and other state and federal and Tribal agencies to support multi-agency management efforts and evaluation of recovery progress for this threatened population.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan (US Fish and Wildlife Service 1993) specifies thresholds that need to be reached before the grizzly bear population in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) can be considered recovered. However, little information exists on population status for the majority of the NCDE. And while there have been intensive management efforts across most of the NCDE and several large-scale research projects, no single data repository exists in the NCDE. Instead, the numerous federal, state, and tribal agencies involved with bear management each has its own system for recording and managing data that often is incompatible with other agencies. One way to maximize the accuracy and usefulness of data relating to the research and management of this threatened population is to standardize and centralize its collection. Data include records of capture, relocation, mortality, biological samples, and various analyses of those samples. Standardizing what data are collected and housing everything in a single database will allow managers to query records across agencies, and will allow supervision of data quality that will ultimately aid in monitoring recovery efforts.
Project Methods
The University of Montana and the U.S. Geological Survey will cooperate through the CESU to develop and maintain the first comprehensive database for grizzly bears in the NCDE of northwestern Montana. This relational database will be created in Microsoft Access, and will include integrated error-checking queries, data entry forms, and automatically generated reports. The database will be accessible, via the database manager, to all participating agencies. It will be housed in a secure facility, password protected, with regular back-ups. A web interface will allow remote data entry and retrieval and real-time access to data. The database manager will coordinate with grizzly bear researchers and managers from across the NCDE and adjacent populations to gather data and biological samples in a timely manner. Data will be entered and samples will be cataloged and archived until such time that they can be delivered to the appropriate laboratory. All data will be error-checked, with the database manager working with partner agencies to remedy any errors. To assist managers in collecting accurate data, standardized forms will be developed in conjunction with representatives from each agency. Collection materials (e.g. envelopes for hair samples) will be manufactured and distributed to managers. Collection materials and forms will be compatible with the comprehensive database, facilitating easy interpretation by all partners. Annual summary reports will be developed with partner agencies, and generated by the database manager. Other data products, including GIS layers, will be generated by the database manager upon request by a participating agency.