Test of a Habitat Suitability Index for Black Bears In Northeastern Minnesota

This study takes a habitat suitability index (HSI) for Black Bears (Ursus americanus) designed for the Appalachian Mountains region of North Carolina and applies it to the Eagles Nest area in Northeastern Minnesota. The Minnesota HSI was tested using 36 home ranges and 239,756 GPS points taken from 13 GPS-collared female black bears between - 2010 and 2013. HSI predicted habitat selection by the bears at both the population and, individual home range levels and the distribution of collared bears was positively correlated with HSI values. Further, it was found that Northeastern Minnesota offers poor habitat in terms fall foods owing to the deficiency of mature hard mast producing species. Additionally, although the HSI characterizes lowland / poorly drained areas as poor habitat for food, escape cover, and denning, this study identified an attractance to cedar, spruce and balsam fir swamps for bedding--a variable not considered in previous models data. Also, the extent to which bears are attracted to and avoiding sources of anthropogenic food are addressed herein. Lastly, HSI components are evaluated a posteriori using literature and in situ observations as to their applicability to this study area and either modified or eliminated from the analysis.