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Monitoring Populations of Brown Bears (Ursus arctos) within the Arctic Network Park Units
Western Arctic National Parklands » Monitoring Populations of Brown Bears (Ursus arctos) within the Arctic Network Park Units » Document List
We propose to develop an abundance estimation technique in cooperation with a UAF statistician that relies more on direct, aerial observation of bears than current survey techniques and then apply the new method in the Noatak Preserve study area (1,862 km2) that was previously surveyed in 1987.
Brown bear abundance may be a parameter that can be estimated across the network if a simpler (i.e. statistically and logistically), cost effective estimator(i.e. single year, <$50,000 cost) can be developed or if direct count results can be evaluated within a statistical framework over multiple years (e.g. trend analysis). The current techniques available are expensive and require multiple years of preparation or actual data collection to obtain estimates. The proposed project is a "step back" from the complicated and less often completed abundance estimation methods used today. The trade-off is between statistically rigorous techniques completed less often with less precise estimates obtained more often. Simply, we are proposing the latter.
We will survey the upper Noatak drainage from the Nimiuktuk to the headwaters from June 1 - 7 with 4 airplanes based out at Dahl Creek above Kobuk; each plane will survey a 60 sq mi chunk of country; all aerial reconnaissance is from fixed-wing aircraft. A “safety cache” of 15-30 gallons of fuel may be placed at the old Makpik site in 15g steel drums. Fuel at Dahl Creek will be in barrels placed in containment.
The National Park Service has approved this project after reviewing it for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
National Park Service
201 1st Ave.
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Phone: 907-455-0674
Fax:
Email: brad_shults@nps.gov
Brown bear abundance may be a parameter that can be estimated across the network if a simpler (i.e. statistically and logistically), cost effective estimator(i.e. single year, <$50,000 cost) can be developed or if direct count results can be evaluated within a statistical framework over multiple years (e.g. trend analysis). The current techniques available are expensive and require multiple years of preparation or actual data collection to obtain estimates. The proposed project is a "step back" from the complicated and less often completed abundance estimation methods used today. The trade-off is between statistically rigorous techniques completed less often with less precise estimates obtained more often. Simply, we are proposing the latter.
We will survey the upper Noatak drainage from the Nimiuktuk to the headwaters from June 1 - 7 with 4 airplanes based out at Dahl Creek above Kobuk; each plane will survey a 60 sq mi chunk of country; all aerial reconnaissance is from fixed-wing aircraft. A “safety cache” of 15-30 gallons of fuel may be placed at the old Makpik site in 15g steel drums. Fuel at Dahl Creek will be in barrels placed in containment.
The National Park Service has approved this project after reviewing it for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
Contact Information
Brad ShultsNational Park Service
201 1st Ave.
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Phone: 907-455-0674
Fax:
Email: brad_shults@nps.gov