Wed, November 15, 2017 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Arts and Sciences Centre. Free. "Spatial point processes for genetic sampling of black and grizzly bears in southwestern Alberta" with Jessa Marley, University of Alberta.
Where: Art 203
When: Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Abstract:
American black bears (Ursus americanus) and grizzly bears (U. arctos) have similar habitat requirements, relying on seasonally available grasses, forbs, fruiting shrubs and trees, and neonate ungulates. To avoid aggressive and potentially lethal encounters with the more dominant grizzly bear, black bears have been found to partition habitat spatially and temporally. For example, black bears will avoid areas with high-quality resources like spawning salmon, ungulate carcasses, and huckleberry patches when grizzly bears are present. We used two complementary methods to compare habitat partitioning in southwestern Alberta, Canada. First, we calculated resource-selection functions for each sex and species, contrasting bear ‘use’ locations with ‘available.’ These were time-static models. Second, we made inhomogeneous Poisson point process models that use the frequency of detection as the response variable. We used non-invasive genetic sampling data to identify unique individuals, sex, and species. From the top RSF and point process models, grizzly bears selected Crown land relative to park and private land. Our results indicate there is resource partitioning occurring, with a substantial east-west gradient.
Everyone is welcome to enjoy the talk and refreshments.
If you have any questions, please email Dr. Rebecca Tyson at Rebecca.tyson@ubc.ca.