Pattern of space use by female black bears in the White River National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas, USA

摘要: Abstract The manner in which space is used by animals may influence several aspects of biology, including the pattern resource use and intra-specific competition. We monitored 16 radio-collared female black bears (Ursus americanus) for 9,216 radio days during 1993–1995 White River National Wildlife Refuge (WRNWR), Arkansas, U.S.A. to investigate patterns. Annual home ranges (95% convex polygon) ranged from 2.10 11.34 km2 with a mean (± SD) size 4.90 2.09) (n = 16). Largest were occupied 2 females yearlings one year study. Home among neighbouring overlapped considerably. Although maintained larger summer, range did not differ seasons (P > 0.50). Our estimates smaller than those obtained study same population 1979–1982. Because bear at WRNWR was substantially (about 130 bears) 1979–1982 compared present ≥348 bears, these results suggested that density be negatively correlated. Conservation implications density-dependent are also discussed.