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- Title
Genetic Mark--Recapture Population Estimation in Black Bears and Issues of Scale.
- Authors
Coster, Stephanie S.; Kovach, Adrienne I.; Pekins, Peter J.; Cooper, Andrew B.; Timmins, Andrew
- Abstract
Abundance estimates for black bears (Ursus americanus) are important for effective management. Recently, DNA technology has resulted in widespread use of noninvasive, genetic capture–mark– recapture (CMR) approaches to estimate populations. Few studies have compared the geneticCMRmethods to other estimation methods. We used genetic CMR to estimate the bear population at 2 study sites in northern New Hampshire (Pittsburg and Milan) in 2 consecutive years. We compared these estimates to those derived from traditional methods used by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFG) using hunter harvest and mortality data. Density estimates produced with genetic CMR methods were similar both yearsand were comparable to those derived from traditional methods. In 2006, the estimated number of bears in Pittsburg was 79 (95% CI ¼ 60–98) corresponding to a density of 15–24 (95% CI) bears/ 100 km2; the 2007 estimate was 83 (95% CI ¼ 67–99; density ¼ 16–24 bears/100 km2). In 2006, the estimated number of bears in Milan was 95 (95% CI ¼ 74–117; density ¼ 16–25 bears/100 km2); the 2007 estimate was 96 (95% CI ¼ 77–114; density ¼ 17–25 bears/100 km2). We found that genetic CMR methods were able to identify demographic variation at a local scale, including a strongly skewed sex ratio (2 M:1 F) in the Milan population. Genetic CMR is a useful tool for wildlife managers to monitor populations of local concern, where abundance or demographic characteristics may deviate from regional estimates. Future monitoring of the Milan population with genetic CMR is recommended to determine if the sex ratio bias continues, possibly warranting a change in local harvest regimes.
- Subjects
NEW Hampshire; BLACK bear; ANIMAL population estimates; ANIMAL genetics; NEW Hampshire. Fish &; Game Dept.
- Publication
Journal of Wildlife Management, 2011, Vol 75, Issue 5, p1128
- ISSN
0022-541X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/jwmg.143