Black bear habitat in the Southeastern United States : a biometric model of habitat conditions in the southern Appalachians

In order to assess regional patterns of black bear (Ursus americanus) habitat use in the southern Appalachian region, I developed regional biometric models of habitat use based on habitat variables identified by F.T. van Manen and M.R. Pelton for Tellico Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest (CNF). The locally-focused Tellico model was based on an analysis of radio telemetry data collected from 1978-1983 by students of Dr. Pelton at the University of Tennessee. The CNF model identified important variables associated with bear habitat use, such as proximity to human activity sites, elevation, and overstory vegetation. Removing highly localized variables such as understory vegetation and stand age richness, which could not be measured at a broad regional scale, I developed models that reflect landscape-level habitat use probability for black bears. Using the recently completed Southern Appalachian Assessment database, these models were applied to the Southern Appalachians, revealing the relative probability of suitable habitat for male and female bears in spring, summer, fall and year-round habitat conditions. The habitat suitability maps show a clear pattern of upland habitat areas with high use probabilities around the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, and the George Washington and Jefferson national forests in Virginia. High probability habitat areas were also identified on private lands, many adjacent to areas of public ownership. These probability maps are based on a model developed on National Forest land, in an area with abundant suitable habitats. Areas with a high relative probability of suitable habitat at this regional scale should be interpreted as optimum habitat, distinguishable from areas of moderate habitat quality. A regional perspective is important because it provides information on the distribution of habitat outside known bear population areas, and also evaluates the fragmentation of occupied areas. Identifying these suitable habitat patterns is another step in establishing a regional conservation program that insures the survival of black bears m the Southeast.