SUITABILITY OF HABITATS IN EAST TEXAS FOR BLACK BEARS

Garner, Nathan; Willis, Sean

Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model was used to determine the suitability of selected forested habitats in East Texas for black bears (Ursus americanus). Based on field studies from 1994-96 on 489 sample sites over 4 study areas totaling276,048 ha in size, all areas were determined suitable for black bears (overall HSI values Z 0.73). HSI values for each of the eight model variables covering food, cover and human impact factors were evaluated and compared between each study area" Food and cover variables each had combined HSI values ranging from 0.76 to 1.0 for each area while combined HSI values for human impact variables ranged from 0.42 to 0.80. Lack of tree den sites observed during the study did not lower overall cover calculations due to the high degree of other concealment cover encountered in the understory. Three out of the 4 study areas contained human impact factors that lowered overall HSI values. The middle Neches River Corridor is recommended as the most suitable location for any future black bear restoration and management efforts in East Texas.