Behaviour of Brown Bears Under Fluctuating Resource Availability

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Wildlife Conservation
• Forestry

Background:

• Mast seeding, the irregular production of seeds, significantly influences ecosystem dynamics.
• Beechnuts (Fagus sylvatica L.) are a crucial food source for Eurasian brown bears in the Italian Alps.
• Understanding mast seeding impacts is vital for managing bear populations and human-wildlife conflict.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between beechnut mast seeding and brown bear behavior in the Italian Alps.
• To map the spatial and temporal patterns of beechnut production and associated bear damages.
• To inform conservation strategies for brown bears by identifying high-risk areas for human-bear conflict.

Main Methods:

• Estimation and mapping of annual beechnut biomass (2007-2021) using historical data and field sampling.
• Assessment of beechnut energy content via high heating values.
• Integration of beechnut production data, damage records, and GPS data from 16 brown bears for temporal and spatial analysis.

Main Results:

• Standardized damages to beehives and livestock decreased significantly in mast years, indicating bears relied on natural food sources.
• Bears utilized agricultural areas more and beech forests less during years with poor beechnut crops.
• Areas with agriculture and pastures near beech forests and away from urban centers presented a higher risk of bear-related damages.

Conclusions:

• Beechnut mast seeding directly influences brown bear foraging behavior and reduces human-wildlife conflict during abundant seed years.
• Mapping mast seeding and bear activity provides a valuable tool for proactive management and conservation planning.
• This study highlights the ecological interconnectedness between forest resources and large carnivore populations.