Selection of den sites and chronology of denning by black bears in the eastern Sierra Nevada and western Great Basin.

ABSTRACT: Use of dens during winter is an important strategy for American black bears (Ursus americanus) for both energy conservation and reproduction; and occupancy of suitable den sites has implications for reproductive fitness. Denning strategies may change as a result of changing climatic conditions and habitat loss. Black bears occupy arid environments in the eastern Sierra Nevada and the western ranges of the Great Basin Ecosystem. Our objectives were to identify: (1) which physical characteristics of habitat influenced selection of den sites at multiple spatial scales and (2) which environmental factors influenced timing of entrance and exit of dens by females and males. We evaluated selection of den sites by black bears at three spatial scales (300, 1000, and 4000 m) from 2011 to 2022

SUBMITTER: Long ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11236437 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature