DISCLAIMER: This website is for a university class project. The dataset used for analysis is preliminary and has been modified. Any conclusions derived from this analysis should be considered fictional.
Overview
Many grizzly bear populations throughout North America are vulnerable as a result of human-caused mortality and habitat loss. Throughout the periphery of their range and even in protected areas such as Banff National Park many of the grizzly populations are declining. In order to mitigate population decrease, it is imperative to reduce mortality and increase primary habitat. Understanding and implementing management strategies for reducing mortality is more straightforward than establishing habitat, therefor, mortality reduction is often the primary focus and application. Focusing solely on reducing mortality is not always an effective management tool if there is not adequate habitat to promote viable reproductive success. To manage declining populations, such as in Banff, it is imperative to increase primary habitat. The main objectives of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of prescribed fire as a management tool for enhancing the production of grizzly bear food resources. A secondary objective is to understand some of the underlying fire, terrain and forest attributes that contribute to establishing the highest degree of grizzly bear food production.
Preliminary research results, looking at the most critical foods, indicate that prescribed fire can be an effective tool for enhancing grizzly bear habitat in Banff National Park. Prescribed fire sites had a significantly greater density of fruit than forested controls. As well, Amalancher anifolia, ant mounds and logs (Formica spp.) and Rubus ideas were found at a greater density or coverage in prescribed fire sites than controls. Only Vaccinium scoparium occurred at greater coverage in control sites than prescribed fire locations.
With a greater understanding of the influence prescribed fire has on establishing grizzly bear habitat, it becomes essential to advance this knowledge and apply prescribed fire in the ecosystem. Witnessing a positive population response in Banff grizzlies will be the ultimate factor in determining the effectiveness of prescribed fire as a habitat enhancement tool.