Detailed Research Information

Detailed project information for
Study Plan Number 03054

Branch : Southern Appalachian Field Branch

Study Plan Number : 03054

Study Title : Effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Black Bear Habitat along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana

Starting Date : 05/01/2007

Completion Date : 08/31/2008

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
Hurricane Katrina struck the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts on August 29, 2005, followed by Hurricane Rita on September 24. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita destroyed about 562 km2 of wetland based on Landsat satellite data, and much of that loss may be permanent (Barras 2006). Significant loss occurred in the Terrebonne Basin and East Cote Blanche Bay area, both of which are within coastal Louisiana bear range. The effects of these direct losses on the status of the Louisiana black bear within an already marginal habitat base are unknown. Additionally, it is not known how much unoccupied but potential bear habitat was lost. Indirect effects could include vegetation changes due to saltwater flooding following storm surges, the introduction of toxic chemicals (Suedel et al. 2006) and other water quality changes due to floodwater pumping (Ray 2006), and sea level rise and land subsidence (Burkett et al. 2003). Clearly, an evaluation of habitat resources available to black bears, pre- and post-Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, should be performed.
OBJECTIVES
Our objective is to evaluate the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Louisiana black bear habitat in Louisiana.
HYPHOTHESIS TO BE TESTED
Hurricane damage to habitat has resulted in a significant reduction in the future viability of Louisiana black bear populations.

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Branch :	Southern Appalachian Field Branch
Study Plan Number :	03054
Study Title :	Effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Black Bear Habitat along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana
Starting Date :	05/01/2007
Completion Date :	08/31/2008
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 Hurricane Katrina struck the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts on August 29, 2005, followed by Hurricane Rita on September 24. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita destroyed about 562 km2 of wetland based on Landsat satellite data, and much of that loss may be permanent (Barras 2006). Significant loss occurred in the Terrebonne Basin and East Cote Blanche Bay area, both of which are within coastal Louisiana bear range. The effects of these direct losses on the status of the Louisiana black bear within an already marginal habitat base are unknown. Additionally, it is not known how much unoccupied but potential bear habitat was lost. Indirect effects could include vegetation changes due to saltwater flooding following storm surges, the introduction of toxic chemicals (Suedel et al. 2006) and other water quality changes due to floodwater pumping (Ray 2006), and sea level rise and land subsidence (Burkett et al. 2003). Clearly, an evaluation of habitat resources available to black bears, pre- and post-Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, should be performed. OBJECTIVES Our objective is to evaluate the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Louisiana black bear habitat in Louisiana. HYPHOTHESIS TO BE TESTED Hurricane damage to habitat has resulted in a significant reduction in the future viability of Louisiana black bear populations.
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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