Coastal bear/human study-1998 preliminary progress reoprt Chinitna Bay Brown Bear/Human Study 1998 Progress Report

Kunkel, Kyran; Smith, Tom; Clark, Rick

Human use of coastal areas in southcentral Alaska is increasing dramatically. Much of this use is directed at viewing bears. The impact of this increasing use on coastal resources and particularly brown bears is unknown. Managers of coastlines in southcentral Alaska require information on the effects of humans on coastal resources, particularly bears, so that they can appropriately manage existing threats and plan for increasing pressures. To that end, we are examining the link between human disturbance and the health of coastal ecosystems. Due to logistical and financial constraints, we can¿t inventory, monitor, and assess the threats to all biological components on coasts. Therefore, we need to monitor key indicator species or processes. Bears and bear foods are potentially excellent candidates to fill this role. The overall approach to this problem will be to develop a model that predicts the energetic costs to bears of specific types, timing and locations of human activities along the coast. With this model we may be able to predict the reduction in carrying capacity for bears that may result from given levels of human disturbance. This information is needed to ensure that resource managers can: 1) protect sensitive coastal habitat and maintain natural and healthy bear populations; 2) mitigate effects of human disturbance to critical habitat and bear populations; 3) educate and protect humans from adverse bear encounters while allowing for public enjoyment of park coastal areas and associated park resources; and 4) develop and implement coastal bear management protocol to be included in bear management plans for each coastal park. Results from the proposed study will provide information that will allow us to manage and direct human activities along coasts in southcentral Alaska in an optimal and sustainable fashion.

Coastal bear/human study-1998 preliminary progress reoprt Chinitna Bay Brown Bear/Human Study 1998 Progress Report

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