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FWC often conducts independent research or research
through partnerships with universities and other state or federal
agencies on the Florida black bear.
Research topics have included:
- bee yard depredation,
- denning and litter sizes,
- diets,
- diseases and parasites,
- habitat selection,
- movements,
- and population characteristics.
The results of such research have been published in
scientific journals, graduate theses, agency bulletins, reports and most
are available from state and university libraries. To assist in your
search, the citations for these publications are listed in the
bibliography and
Reports & Presentations page.
Recent Ongoing and Completed Research:
FWC and graduate students from several universities
(University of Florida, University of Kentucky, and University of
Tennessee) are currently conducting or have recently completed several
research projects on Florida black bears. These projects are:
Bears in the urban-wildland interface,
2005 - Ongoing
The goal of this University of Florida graduate project is to closely
monitor the movements and activities of Florida black bears living in
the urban-wildland interface of Ocala National Forest. Objectives for
this study are:
1. Document fine-scale habitat use of bears utilizing the urban-wildland
interface; and
2. Assess the effects of habitat quality, quantity, and distribution on
the movements and behaviors of bears inhabiting the urban-wildland
interface. Data is also being collected that will contribute to our
understanding on whether these urban-wildland interfaces are population
sinks for bears.
Determining the impact of relocation on nuisance Florida black bear in
central Florida,
2004 - 2007 Ongoing
This University of Florida graduate project determined the fate of
translocated nuisance bears centered on the bear population of Ocala
National Forest and to evaluate the effectiveness of removing nuisance
bears from the area of human-bear conflict. The project also provided
information on:
- if bears remain where released,
- return to former home ranges,
- suffer high rates of mortality, and
- become nuisances in new areas.
This information is important as FWC nuisance bear
policy allows for the relocation of nuisance bears, rehabilitated
orphaned cubs and bears reported in residential areas. Relocation is
often perceived as a tool to reduce nuisance bear activity. Although
this method has been practiced for several years, minimal data has been
available to determine the fate of bears after relocation and whether
such actions are effective in reducing the level of nuisance bear
activity. Determining the fate of relocated bears in Florida could alter
the nuisance bear management activities currently practiced in the
state.
South-central Florida Black Bear Conservation,
2004 - Ongoing:
This University of Kentucky study is using VHF and GPS technology to
examine the ecological and spatial characteristics of one of the last
remaining, unstudied black bear populations in Florida. Research on this
population was identified as a high priority at least a decade ago.
Because of its position in a quickly developing part of Florida, its
linkage with North America’s southeastern-most bear population, and its
existence in a landscape that appears marginally suitable for black bear
occupation, south central Florida embodies unique ecological and
conservation challenges. Similarly denatured and deforested habitat in
Florida is devoid of the species. The findings of this study will be
important in identifying essential core habitat and the critical
pathways that link remnant forests and other important habitats in the
region. An understanding of black bear movements and ecology in this
developing region of Florida will promote continued conservation
successes such as The Nature Conservancy’s acquisition of the Royce
Ranch at Lake Apthorpe (now an FWC Wildlife Management Area), an
expanding Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, the Florida
Conservation and Recreation Lands Program (CARL), and Florida Forever.
The results will also suggest the short- and long-term prospects for
persistence through the examination of demographic and genetic data in a
population that is likely well below 100 individuals. Recommendations
will then be made to promote population and landscape management that
maintains this part of the black bear’s range as integral to a statewide
metapopulation.
Objectives:
- Determine habitat use and preference
patterns.
- Determine the overall demographic and genetic status of the population.
- Identify key attributes of the landscape that facilitate or hinder bear
movements and potential linkages with other bear populations.
- Estimate total population size and trends.
- Develop recommendations for enhancing habitat continuity, facilitating
connectivity with adjacent bear populations, and promoting the long-term
persistence of the south central Florida black bear population.
Demodicosis in the Ocala Population,
2000 - Ongoing:
Researchers with FWC are looking at demodicosis (mange) problem in black
bears on the western edge of the Ocala National Forest. This type of
mange is caused by a mite that is not contagious to people or domestic
animals. The mites live in the hair follicles and severe infestations
result in hair loss. In domestic animals, demodicosis is often the
result of immunosuppression and we suspect that the presence of these
mites may reflect some type of underlying problem in bears from this
region. This research was conducted in collaboration with
Black
Bear Movement and Habitat Use Relative to Roads in Ocala National Forest.
Non-invasive Assessment of Black Bear Movements and Abundance Relative
to U.S. 98 Within the Aucilla Wildlife Management Area,
2003 - 2005:
This study assessed the movements (numbers and locations of black bear
crossings) and abundance of black bears in the study area relative to
U.S. 98 within the Aucilla WMA and adjacent lands in southeastern
Jefferson County. Recommendations are provided to address elevated
crossing and roadkill activity concurrently for all seasons. These
conservation measures may significantly decrease bear mortality,
increase driver safety, and benefit multiple species while ensuring
connectivity to conservation lands for the expanding population of
genetically distinct black bears.
Statewide
Assessment of Road Impacts on Bears in Florida,
2001 - 2005:
This FWC study assessed the impacts of transportation related deaths on
bear populations by estimating the abundance and distribution of black
bears in six core areas across the state. The results enable FWC to make
informed decisions regarding highway management issues such as design,
placement, and mitigation. The second aspect of this project was to
update the distribution map of black bears throughout Florida using FWC
records (nuisance calls, research, and roadkill locations), and
interviews with land managers from public agencies and large private
lands.
Cub survival and denning ecology of Florida black bears in Ocala
National Forest,
2002 - 2004:
This University of Florida graduate project determined survival rates
and specific causes of mortality of cubs in Ocala National Forest and
the residential area of Lynne by using lightweight, expandable
radio-collars. Information on reproductive ecology of female black bears
such as litter size and age at reproduction was also collected. Because
birth and early maternal care occur in dens and availability of adequate
den sites can influence survival of cubs, denning site characteristics
were also investigated. This information is important to bear management
because demographic models of black bear populations elsewhere suggest
that cub survival rate is a critical demographic variable with
substantial consequences for population dynamics. However, data on
survival rates, specific causes and time of mortality, and the relative
importance of mortality factors for Florida black bear cubs are
virtually nonexistent.
Genetic Structure and Gene Flow Among Florida Black Bear Populations,
2002 - 2004:
Building on the data collected in the Statewide Assessment of Road
Impacts on Bears in Florida, the objectives this University of Florida
graduate project were to characterize the genetic structure of black
bears in Florida, document gene flow among populations, investigate gene
flow in terms of landscape configuration, and to evaluate the
effectiveness of a regional corridor in connecting the Ocala and Osceola
black bear populations. The Ocala-Osceola corridor is perhaps the only
functioning regional corridor in the southeastern coastal plain, yet
long-term survival of this important corridor is questionable due to
increasing development pressure.
Habitat Use and Genetic Relatedness of Female Black Bears in the Ocala
National Forest,
2002 - 2004:
This University of Florida graduate project used habitat preference
analysis and habitat modeling to identify important habitats for the
black bears, as well as how these requirements may change seasonally and
annually. Because of the relatively high density of black bears in the
forest, there are many overlapping home ranges between bears. A
comparison of habitats within the overlaps to total habitat availability
may be another productive method for identifying important areas for the
bears. The assumption was that habitats capable of supporting several
bears are of higher quality than surrounding areas. This research also
addressed how space sharing correlates to genetic relatedness. It is
generally assumed that related females will be more tolerant of one
another and thus permit more home range overlap. However, there is
currently little genetically-based information to support this pattern.
Black
Bear Movements and Habitat Use Relative to Roads in Ocala National
Forest,
2000 - 2004:
Researchers with FWC investigated the movements, habitat use, and
population dynamics of black bears along a portion of State Road 40 in
Ocala National Forest. The Ocala black bear population is the largest in
the state and has sustained 43% of the statewide roadkill since 1976.
State Road 40, which is being considered for widening, bisects the
national forest and contains several sites where roadkilled bears are a
reoccurring problem. FWC sought to define habitat use, patterns of
movement and rates and sources of adult mortality from radiocollared
bears. Data concerning the locations and patterns of highway crossings
were gathered from a dirt track transect adjacent to the roadway, and by
documenting the locations of unsuccessful road crossings. The
distribution and abundance of fall foods was also assessed with mast
surveys to help explain bear movements and highway crossing frequency.
Northern St. Johns River Black Bear Assessment,
2002 - 2003:
Black bears appear to be very patchy in the northern portions of the St.
Johns population. To assist in updating the bear distribution maps for
this population, FWC collected bear hair from hair traps in Flagler and
St. Johns counties from late fall 2002 to spring 2003. This data allowed
us to more precisely determine in which areas bears were present.
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