Impacts of human recreation on brown bears and polar bears
We integrate results from empirical studies with expert knowledge to better understand the potential population-level effects of recreational activities on bears.Abstract
Increased popularity of recreational activities in natural areas has led to the need to better understand their impacts on wildlife. The majority of research conducted to date has focused on behavioral effects from individual recreations, thus there is a limited understanding of the potential for population-level or cumulative effects. Brown bears (Ursus arctos) are the focus of a growing wildlife viewing industry and are found in habitats frequented by recreationists. Managers face difficult decisions in balancing recreational opportunities with habitat protection for wildlife. Polar bears are also increasingly becoming a species of interest in Arctic tourism. Further, a variety of other human activities, including subsistence hunting and oil and gas exploration occur in polar bear habitats with the potential for negative bear-human interactions. Here, we integrate results from empirical studies with expert knowledge to better understand the potential population-level effects of recreational activities on bears.
Products
| Title | Type |
|---|---|
| Impacts of human recreation on brown bears (Ursus arctos): a review and new management tool | Publication |
| Recreation Survey Results in Brown Bear Habitats, 2013 | Data |
| Polar Bear Research | Project Website |
Contacts
Rode, Karyn D., 907-786-7106Status: completed
Start Year: 2015
End Year: 2019