MOVEMENTS OF FEMALE BLACK BEARS IN RELATION TO LANDSCAPE VEGETATION TYPE IN SOUTHERN QUEBEC

Few studies have examined the influence of distribution of vegetation types at the landscape level on movement of bears in and around a prot ected area. We analyzed movement and spatial use patterns of 19 adult female black bears (Ursus americanus) in relation to distribution of v egetation types in and near ha Mauricie National Park (LMNP), Quebec, Canada, between July 1990 and December 1992. The home range of radiotr acked females included a core area of 11.6 km(2) in 1991 (n = 9) and 1 3.3 km(2) (n = 14) in 1992. The proportion of locations in this core a rea was correlated (P < 0.050) with the availability of early-successi onal stands and maple-beech forests that provide 2 important food sour ces for bears (i.e., soft mast, beechnuts). In 1991-92, bears were loc ated more often (P < 0.050) inside the park between late April and mid -July than during the period of soft-mast ripening between mid-July an d mid-September. The declining use of the park during the period of so ft-mast ripening was caused by the low occurrence of early-successiona l stands inside the park, and increased the vulnerability of female bl ack bears to human-related mortality. This vulnerability would probabl y decrease if early-successional stands were maintained inside the par k, and if a surrounding buffer zone was established. In this buffer zo ne, agriculture and residential developments should be prohibited, and hunting should be restricted to the spring period.