Population Dynamics of Black Bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Coley AB. 1995. Population Dynamics of Black Bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. University of Tennessee
The investigator concluded that past estimates of the number of black bear in GRSM were too low. By utilizing Calendar of captures, Lincoln-Petersen, nonparametric, and Jolly-Seber population estimators, Jolly estimates produced an annual figure of 185 animals, for a mean density of 1.36 bears per square kilometer. Groups of trap lines were used to estimate average population densities of bears per square kilometer ranged between 0.81 and 2.4 bears. Demographic parameters from den work and the Jolly material were incorporated into ANURSUS computer program which predicted a severe decline, which was wrong. Hard mast data did not help. His model for predicting black bear ages from body measurements did not work. In future research the emphasis should be on sampling females, and the distance between traps should equal the average female summer home diameter.
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Coley, Alex
- Date of Issue
- 1995-05
- Publisher
- University of Tennessee
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, Black Bear (Ursus americanus), Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSM, Population Density, Population Estimate, SER, Southeast Region, Thesis