Macrohabitat Use By Black Bears in A Southern Wetland
Hellgren EC, Vaughan MR, Stauffer DF. 1991. Macrohabitat Use By Black Bears in A Southern Wetland. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 55(3):442-448
We determined habitat use by black bears (Ursus americanus) in the Great Dismal Swamp of Virginia and North Carolina by radiotracking 24 female and 16 male bears. On a year-round basis, females preferred (P < 0.05) pocosins and mesic areas and males preferred gum-cypress (Nyssa spp. - Taxodium distichum) and maple-coniferous (Acer spp.-Pinus spp.) stands. Females preferred (P < 0.05) pocosins and disturbed areas during summer months, mesic and gum-cypress habitats in early fall, and pocosins in late fall. Females used maple-dominated habitats less (P < 0.05) than their availability throughout the year. Roads were preferred (P < 0.05) by females during all seasons except early fall, when females made excursions to feeding areas far from roads. Maintenance and enhancement of pocosins, mature gum, oak (Quercus spp.), and disturbed habitats would benefit black bears in southeastern wetlands by providing a wide variety of natural foods throughout the year.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Hellgren, Eric; Vaughan, Michael; Stauffer, Dean
- Units
- BIBE
- Keywords
- Black Bears, Carnivora, Great Dismal Swamp, Macrohabitat Use, Mammalia, Southern Wetlands, Ursidae, Ursus americanus, Virginia and North Carolina