Exploring the Rise in Human-Black Bear Interactions in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan
Mark Hillary
What factors explain the dramatic increase in interactions between Humans and Black Bears in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan throughout the last decade?
This research proposal hopes to explore the specific reasons behind this increase in order to better understand our relationship with the American Black Bear.
Norton, C. (2022, March 10)
Recent Rise in Bear Nuisance Complaints
Data Outline:
Black Bear nuisance reports have had over a 4-fold increase in the ten years from 2011-2021.
Estimated Black Bear population in the Lower Peninsula has almost doubled in the same timeframe.
Why Research this Issue?
Protecting People
Black Bear incident reports are becoming increasingly more common in urban areas, increasing the risk of negative interactions.
McFadden-Hiller, J. E., Beyer, D. E., & Belant, J. L. (2016)
Protecting Bears
When a Black Bear poses a threat to public safety, often times this leads to the euthanization of the bear in question.
Protecting Wildlife
Approaches used to limit negative Bear-Human interactions could potentially also be used for other predator species.
Theories behind the rise in Human-Black Bear interactions
Urban Spread
The most significant risk factor mentioned was the fragmentation of forests with roads, agriculture, and neighborhood's.
McFadden-Hiller, Beyer, et al., 2016
Anthropogenic Food Sources
Bears are adaptable creatures, and many have learned to seek out anthropogenic food sources in times of food scarcity.
As the saying goes, "A fed bear is a dead bear".
Westrich, McCallen, et al., 2018
Genetic Factors
One study found that Black Bear populations that are exposed to plentiful resources (such as an anthropogenic food source) are more likely to pass down traits that promote dispersal.
Kristensen, Puckett, et al. 2017
Unanswered Questions:
What specifically has changed in the past decade to account for such a dramatic increase in Human-Bear interactions?
What factors are more important than others regarding the rise in Human-Bear interactions? Of the reviewed literature, some studies contradict each other in terms of listed factors.
What can be done in the future to limit the number of Human-Bear interactions?
Westrich, McCallen, et al., 2018
Johnson, Lewis, et al. 2017
Methods
The methods proposed for this proposal will involve a combination of GIS mapping and statistical analysis.
Mapping Black Bear nuisance reports in GIS over time
Mapping changes over time of the following:
Forest Density
Agricultural Density
Population Density
Recreational Locations
Mean Annual Temperatures
Other Notable Variables
Statistical analysis will then be used to uncover any correlations
In Conclusion
The Black Bear is an iconic species of both Michigan and North America. While loved by many, it is important that the Black Bear be respected for the powerful animal that it is. Hopefully, through careful anylasis of both historical and current trends in Human-Black Bear interactions, a better system can be put in to place to limit these interactions.
References:
ArcGIS. (2023). ArcGIS Online. Arcgis.com. https://www.arcgis.com/index.html
Don Carlos, A. W., Bright, A. D., Teel, T. L., & Vaske, J. J. (2009). Human–Black Bear Conflict in Urban Areas: An Integrated Approach to Management Response. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 14(3), 174–184. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871200902839316
Hubbard, T., Cove, M. V., & Lafferty, D. J. R. (2022). Human recreation impacts seasonal activity and occupancy of American black bears (Ursus americanus) across the anthropogenic-wildland interface. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 12201. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-15665-x
Johnson, H. E., Lewis, D. L., Verzuh, T. L., Wallace, C. F., Much, R. M., Willmarth, L. K., & Breck, S. W. (2017). Human development and climate affect hibernation in a large carnivore with implications for human-carnivore conflicts. Journal of Applied Ecology, 55(2), 663–672. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13021
Kristensen, T. V., Puckett, E. E., Landguth, E. L., Belant, J. L., Hast, J. T., Carpenter, C., Sajecki, J. L., Beringer, J., Means, M., Cox, J. J., Eggert, L. S., White, D., & Smith, K. G. (2018). Spatial genetic structure in American black bears (Ursus americanus): female philopatry is variable and related to population history. Heredity, 120(4), 329–341. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41437-017-0019-0
McFadden-Hiller, J. E., Beyer, D. E., & Belant, J. L. (2016). Spatial Distribution of Black Bear Incident Reports in Michigan. PLOS ONE, 11(4), e0154474. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0154474
Michigan Department of Natural Resources. (2008). A Review of Bear Management in Michigan. https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/WLD/Bear/White_Paper_Final_Oct_08.pdf?rev=d8ae8c477aaf429c82f94935171280f1
Norton, C. (2022, March 10). 2022 Bear Population Trend Analysis. Michigan Department of Natural Resources. https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/Boards/NRC/2022/NEW/Bear_March_2022.pdf?rev=6ddf804af0374e88b2ff5538d6e1c75d
Raithel, J. (2017). Integrating Black Bear Behavior, Spatial Ecology, and Population Integrating Black Bear Behavior, Spatial Ecology, and Population Dynamics in a Human-Dominated Landscape: Implications for Dynamics in a Human-Dominated Landscape: Implications for Management Management. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7807&context=etd
Seimer, W., Lauber, B., & Stedman, R. (2023, February 9). Perception and trust influence acceptance for black bears more than bear density or conflicts. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcosc.2023.1041393/full#:~:text=Human%2Dbear%20interactions%20can%20be,in%20fewer%20complaints%E2%80%9D%20
US Census Bureau. (2020). Data. Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/data.html
US Climate Data. (2024, February 27). Climate Michigan - temperature, rainfall and average. Usclimatedata.com. https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/michigan/united-states/3192
United States Geological Survey. (2024). Landsat Tools | U.S. Geological Survey. Www.usgs.gov. https://www.usgs.gov/landsat-missions/landsat-tools
Westrich, B., Mccallen, E., & Albers, G. (n.d.). Human-Wildlife Interactions 12(3):411-416, Winter 2018 • digitalcommons.usu.edu/hwi Black bears recolonizing historic ranges: Indiana human-bear interactions. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1501&context=hwi
