G R I Z Z LY B E A R R E S E A R C H
B E A R S A N D F O R E S T R Y. . . W H AT W E K N O W
USE OF CLEARCUTS Clearcuts provide important food resources for grizzly bears, including roots, herbs such as fireweed, and ants. The presence of these foods could explain seasonal differences in the use of clearcuts by grizzly bears. Foothills Model Forest research suggests that use peaks in early fall as the bears prepare for hibernation, and again after hibernation ends in the spring. During the summer bears use clearcuts more selectively depending on terrain features, such as slope. Also, grizzly bears appear more likely to use clearcuts during ‘nighttime’ periods than ‘daytime’ periods. In addition to seasonal fluctuations, grizzly bears selectively use different parts of clearcuts. Foothills Model Forest research illustrates that grizzly bears tend to avoid the interiors of clearcuts, favouring edges. Site preparation strategies also influence the use of cutblocks by grizzly bears.
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE...BEARS AND ROADS Areas with high road densities present a challenge to grizzly bears. Foothills Model Forest research found a link between road access density and grizzly bear mortality. This relationship suggests that future forest planning should strive to avoid prime grizzly bear habitat and minimize the kilometers of roads thereby decreasing the risk of humancaused mortality.
STAND AGES Silviculture treatments and cutblock age are important factors in the use of clearcuts by grizzly bears. Foothills Model Forest research determined: • Clearcuts of an intermediate aged (20-40 yrs.) are used more than early (0-20 yrs.) and late (40 yrs. and beyond) aged clearcuts shortly after hibernation ends; • Early and late age clearcuts are used more than intermediate aged clearcuts during late summer and early fall.
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Box 6330, Hinton AB T7V 1X6 T: (780) 865-8330 F: (780) 865-8331 fmf@fmf.ab.ca www.fmf.ab.ca