Detailed Research Information

Detailed project information for
Study Plan Number 03052

Branch : Southern Appalachian Field Branch

Study Plan Number : 03052

Study Title : Population Dynamics of Black Bears in the Upper Atchafayala Basin, Louisiana

Starting Date : 05/01/2007

Completion Date : 12/31/2010

Principal Investigator(s) : Clark, Joe

Primary PI : Clark, Joe

Telephone Number : (865) 974-4790

Email Address : jclark1@usgs.gov

SIS Number :

Primary Program Element :

Second Program Element :

Status : Active

Abstract : BACKGROUND
Black bear (Ursus americanus) habitat in the Mississippi alluvial plain is fragmented due to land clearing for agriculture; >80% of the bottomland hardwood habitat has been lost (Neal 1990). As a consequence, bear populations in the region exist in often isolated fragments of wooded habitat (Pelton 2001). In 1992, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service granted the Louisiana black bear (U. a. luteolus) threatened status under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Louisiana black bears are found in 3 main populations located at Tensas National Wildlife Refuge (Tensas), the upper Atchafalaya River (Atchafalaya), and along the coast (Coastal) in Louisiana. These bear populations are small and isolated and, as such, are vulnerable because of loss of genetic diversity due to inbreeding and due to stochastic demographic processes. A repatriation program has been ongoing since 2001 to bolster the bear population network. Sixteen adult females with 40 cubs have been translocated from the Tensas population to an area referred to as the Red River Repatriation Area (Red River).
OBJECTIVES
Our objectives are to estimate bear population size, density, survival rates, and population growth rates at Upper Atchafayala.
HYPOTHESES TO BE TESTED
Current black bear growth rates are positive at Upper Atchafayala.

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Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn
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Branch :	Southern Appalachian Field Branch
Study Plan Number :	03052
Study Title :	Population Dynamics of Black Bears in the Upper Atchafayala Basin, Louisiana
Starting Date :	05/01/2007
Completion Date :	12/31/2010
Principal Investigator(s) :	Clark, Joe
Primary PI :	Clark, Joe
Telephone Number :	(865) 974-4790
Email Address :	jclark1@usgs.gov
SIS Number :
Primary Program Element :
Second Program Element :
Status :	Active
Abstract :	BACKGROUND Black bear (Ursus americanus) habitat in the Mississippi alluvial plain is fragmented due to land clearing for agriculture; >80% of the bottomland hardwood habitat has been lost (Neal 1990). As a consequence, bear populations in the region exist in often isolated fragments of wooded habitat (Pelton 2001). In 1992, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service granted the Louisiana black bear (U. a. luteolus) threatened status under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Louisiana black bears are found in 3 main populations located at Tensas National Wildlife Refuge (Tensas), the upper Atchafalaya River (Atchafalaya), and along the coast (Coastal) in Louisiana. These bear populations are small and isolated and, as such, are vulnerable because of loss of genetic diversity due to inbreeding and due to stochastic demographic processes. A repatriation program has been ongoing since 2001 to bolster the bear population network. Sixteen adult females with 40 cubs have been translocated from the Tensas population to an area referred to as the Red River Repatriation Area (Red River). OBJECTIVES Our objectives are to estimate bear population size, density, survival rates, and population growth rates at Upper Atchafayala. HYPOTHESES TO BE TESTED Current black bear growth rates are positive at Upper Atchafayala.
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U.S. Department of the Interior \|\| U.S. Geological Survey 11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn Privacy Policy and Disclaimers \|\| FOIA \|\| Accessibility