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Landscape analysis of black bear distribution patterns in Olympic National Park
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Dr. Kurt J. Jenkins, USGS, FRESC, OFS; Dr. Patricia J. Happe, ONP; Dr. John Beecham, WCS, Kimberly A. Sager, University of Idaho and Dr. R. Gerald Wright, USGS Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and University of Idaho 
In approximately 2007, the Department of the Interior is slated to begin dismantling two dams that for over 90 years have blocked the annual return of anadromous fish runs to Olympic National Park’s Elwha Valley. This landmark action provides an unprecedented opportunity to study long-term effects of restoring anadromous fish runs to one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier riverine ecosystems. In 2002, scientists of the USGS-Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, National Park Service, Wildlife Conservation Society and University of Idaho began collaborating to investigate the landscape-scale patterns of black bear distribution and habitat selection prior to anadromous fish returning to the river. Male and female bears have been equipped with radio-collars carrying Global Positioning System receivers that produce a steady flow of geographic information on bear locations (4 locations daily for about 18 months). 
The study objectives are to describe seasonal profiles in the geographic distribution of black bears; specifically what are the seasonal patterns of elevation distribution? What are the seasonal patterns of bear use of low-elevation riparian (i.e., riverside) communities? What are the seasonal patterns of bear use of the high-elevation sub alpine regions? What are the patterns of home range size and distribution seasonally? Answers to these questions will provide the baseline information necessary to examine the long-term ecological effects of salmon restoration on park bear populations. Further, geographic data on bear movements will be used to develop an effective strategy for monitoring trends in bear distribution and abundance, while also managing bear-human interactions.
The project is active. Field work began in April 2002. An annual report should be available from the authors by January 2003.
Jenkins, K. J. 2001. Landscape Analysis of Black Bear Distribution Patterns in Olympic National Park. Peer Reviewed NRPP- USGS Final Research Study Plan.
Olympic National Park
The Wildlife Conservation Society
University of Idaho
 This study is funded primarily by the USGS Natural Resources Preservation Project which supports USGS research to address management issues in the National Parks. Olympic National Park and the Washington's National Park Fund has provided additional funding. This is a collaborative research effort. Dr. Patti Happe, Olympic National Park, has been involved in all aspects of study planning and is supervising field operations. Dr. John Beecham, Wildlife Conservation Society, also contributed to study design as well as providing overall direction for bear capture activities. Dr. Kathy Quigley, Wildlife Conservation Society (with Dr. Beecham) provided training for animal capture operations. Kim Sager, Olympic National Park and University of Idaho is the graduate student responsible for implementing the project. Dr. R. Gerald Wright, USGS and University of Idaho, chairs the graduate student's research committee. We are particularly grateful for the assistance of Roger Hoffman, GIS specialist at Olympic National Park, who has helped us understand the GPS radio-collar technology and provided invaluable GIS support for this project. We would like to thank J. Ackerman, K. Beirne, M. Concepcion, M. Danisiwiecz, C. Donnellan, A. Johnson and D. Manson for participating in field data collection, without which, this project would languish.
Kurt Jenkins
Phone: 360-565-3041
E-mail: kurt_jenkins@usgs.gov
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