Intrapopulation differences in polar bear movement and step selection patterns.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The spatial ecology of individuals often varies within a population or species. Identifying how individuals in different classes interact with their environment can lead to a better understanding of population responses to human activities and environmental change and improve population estimates. Most inferences about polar bear (Ursus maritimus) spatial ecology are based on data from adult females due to morphological constraints on applying satellite radio collars to other classes of bears. Recent studies, however, have provided limited movement data for adult males and sub-adults of both sexes using ear-mounted and glue-on tags. We evaluated class-specific movements and step selection patterns for polar bears in the Chukchi Sea subpopulation during spring.

Methods

SUBMITTER: Wilson RR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9128121 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature