SEAWEAD - Applying Wildlife Habitat Studies in Southeast Alaska

Since SEAWEAD’s inception in 1999 we have cooperated with a broad spectrum of our community in the study of several species and habitats. Based on this experience we have begun a project that is intended to weave what we have learned about the nature of Southeast into a holistic approach to landscape ecology.

Last season we embarked on our first field excursions in this effort. During June and July we employed our rapid survey techniques in about a dozen watersheds ranging in location from Chichagof to Prince of Wales islands. We collected information on a variety of species and habitats in each system and are taking a serious – ground-truthed - look at the challenge of restoring and maintaining healthy ecosystems while providing opportunities for sustainable development.

We have many partners and supporters in this effort and our goal is to create an information pool for each audience to draw from. If you are interested in this effort please visit our online discussion forum and let us know what kinds of information you would hope for. At present some of the key concepts we are looking at are: ecosystem function, habitat connectivity, high-grading/proportionality, habitat restoration, habitat enhancements and habitat buffers.

click here to view a slide show of a timber sale field survey. click here to view a larger map of this season’s survey route. This project is just getting started so stay tuned for more news as things develop.

Our brown bear studies began with a two year pilot project (summers of 2000 and 2001) on northern Chichagof Island. We developed methods for mapping habitat characteristics (primarily vegetation and anadromous qualities) and signs of use by bears. Bear use was surveyed and monitored through mapping 'perennial' bear sign (trails, habitual mark trees and bedding areas) and 'ephemeral' bear sign (scat, carcasses, bed activity, and digging activity). The purpose of the mapping was to provide ecological context for studying changes in bear behavior when interacting with humans at important feeding areas, and to further our general understanding of brown bear patterns of habitat use.

While working on Baranof Island in 2002 and Admiralty Island in 2003 & 2004 we refined the bear sign mapping techniques and greatly advanced our use of GPS/GIS technology for spatial accuracy and productivity. We have now mapped over 150 miles of bear trails while working on the mainland at Berners Bay and Glacier Bay, and amongst the Alexander Archipelago on Admiralty, Baranof, and Chichagof Islands. Bear trails can tell us a lot about long-term patterns of habitat use. Click on the inset map to take a closer look. Kind of a no-brainer... but an important contribution all the same. The rapid survey techniques we have developed for brown bear habitat assessments are very effective for answering site specific questions and are readily adaptable to other focal species or habitats.