In:
PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 17, No. 11 ( 2022-11-29), p. e0276448-
Abstract:
The urban-wildland interface is expanding and increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict. Some wildlife species adapt to or avoid living near people, while others select for anthropogenic resources and are thus more prone to conflict. To promote human-wildlife coexistence, wildlife and land managers need to understand how conflict relates to habitat and resource use in the urban-wildland interface. We investigated black bear ( Ursus americanus ) habitat use across a gradient of human disturbance in a North American hotspot of human-black bear conflict. We used camera traps to monitor bear activity from July 2018 to July 2019, and compared bear habitat use to environmental and anthropogenic variables and spatiotemporal probabilities of conflict. Bears predominantly used areas of high vegetation productivity and increased their nocturnality near people. Still, bears used more high-conflict areas in summer and autumn, specifically rural lands with ripe crops. Our results suggest that bears are generally modifying their behaviours in the urban-wildland interface through spatial and temporal avoidance of humans, which may facilitate coexistence. However, conflict still occurs, especially in autumn when hyperphagia and peak crop availability attract bears to abundant rural food resources. To improve conflict mitigation practices, we recommend targeting seasonal rural attractants with pre-emptive fruit picking, bear-proof compost containment, and other forms of behavioural deterrence. By combining camera-trap monitoring of a large carnivore along an anthropogenic gradient with conflict mapping, we provide a framework for evidence-based improvements in human-wildlife coexistence.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1932-6203
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.g003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.g004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.g005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.g006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.s005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.s006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.s007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0276448.r004
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2267670-3
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