SEAWEAD - Applying Wildlife Habitat Studies in Southeast Alaska

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.