Use of non-invasive wildlife detection data to identify habitat of importance to focal species in a conservation and forestry matrix

Understanding how many animals live in a given area, and how those animals move from one place to another, is centrally important for properly conserving and managing landscapes. This project aims to study grizzly bear populations in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia, BC. It will use DNA data collectively non-invasively from grizzly bears at sampling stations throughout the region. This work will identify which parts of the landscape support the greatest numbers of individuals, and which areas are particularly important for allowing grizzly bears to move from one place to another in search of food, mates, and other life requirements. These insights will help guide conservation efforts and land use decisions in the area, helping to ensure activities do not jeopardize core areas for this species of considerable conservation interest.

Faculty Supervisor:

Chris Darimont

Student:

Kyle Artelle

Partner:

Raincoast Conservation Foundation

Discipline:

Geography / Geology / Earth science

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

Program: