The impact of human activities on habitat effectiveness for grizzly bears in Jasper National Park

Grizzly bear ( Ursus arctos horribilis) populations are subject to increasing human encroachment into their habitats. Data were gathered on levels of human activity over seven months (April - October 1997) to link with data on habitat suitability for grizzly bears in the Maligne Valley of Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. We used electronic trail counters, direct counting by observers, and self-counting methods to quantify and compare human use in linear (e.g. trails), point (e.g. campgrounds), and dispersed (e.g. water bodies) landscape features. The data were then combined with habitat data in a Geographic Information System to determine habitat effectiveness to support bears (the capability of an area to support bears, as influenced by human activities, in relation to the area's inherent ability without human use) and the availability of security areas (useable bear habitat that is >9 km2 and >500 m from human activity). To minimize the dilution of the effects of human activities on grizzly bear habitat due to large area size, we divided the Maligne Valley into three bear management units. Weekly averages of the amount of human use rose markedly during the first week of July and declined after the first weekend of September. Increasing recreational activity in habitats with high or very high value for grizzly bears resulted in a decrease in the habitat effectiveness values. The three bear management units in July and August and one bear management unit in September did not meet Parks Canada's threshold for protected areas of having >80% habitat effectiveness levels. One bear management unit in August failed to meet the recommended >60% threshold value for secure I usable. The use of the grizzly bear habitat effectiveness model and security area analysis offers a predictive tool for more detailed planning of current and proposed developments in areas containing bear habitat.