Black bear recolonization patterns in a human-dominated landscape vary based on housing: New insights from spatially explicit density models

摘要: Abstract Housing development is often intermixed within natural land cover, creating coupled human-natural systems that benefit some species, while eliminating critical habitat for others. As carnivore populations recover and expand in North America, understanding how may recolonize human-dominated landscapes an important goal conservation. We empirically test whether a population of American black bear ( Ursus americanus ) recolonizing developed landscape responding to housing density, or the amount intermixture between forest as quantified by Wildland Urban Interface. density was most supported spatially explicit mark-recapture model indicated highest among exurban densities. Mean estimated areas (6–49 houses/km 2 0.18 individuals/km compared 0.12 individuals/km rural ). Bear densities also declined zero approached 50 houses/km . tested differences sex ratio more less intensely areas, using hybrid mixture models. Sex ratios were significantly male-biased higher density. Elevated provide evidence land-use can facilitate recolonization bears, yet high limit recovery populations. Explicit relationships will allow managers anticipate future distribution, where bears people come into frequent contact.