Identifying habitat characteristics to predict highway crossing areas for black bears within a human-modified landscape

摘要: Abstract Roads and associated human development are prevalent features in many landscapes can have significant impacts on wildlife populations, including the creation of barriers to movement that reduce connectivity within among populations. We evaluated how a highway northern Rocky Mountains influenced movements American black bears (Ursus americanus) landscape modified by humans, resulting from residences, recreation, resource extraction. The objectives study were determine habitat characteristics selected at locations where crossed develop evaluate predictive model for road-crossing based characteristics. Eleven out 23 fitted with GPS collars 95 least once. When they specific attributes, both roadside scales, characterized forested areas away development, additional important distance cover, amount shrub along highway, water. Validation our 24 independent crossing events 2 years demonstrated high predictability. described animal data be used identify predict road wildlife, which assist designing planning strategies roadways facilitate maintain populations wildlife–vehicle collisions.