Grizzly bears as a filter for human use management in Canadian Rocky Mountain national parks

Abstract

Canadian National Parks within the Rocky Mountains recognize that human use must be managed if the integrity and health of the ecosystems are to be preserved. Parks Canada is being challenged to ensure that these management actions are based on credible scientific principles and understanding. Grizzly bears provide one of only a few ecological tools that can be used to guide the management of human activities. Grizzly bear needs, as they relate to habitats, movement corridors, habituation and human risk management, were assessed from three spatial scales (regional landscape, landscape management unit, and area planning) and provide the basis for the implementation of numerous human use management actions. The relationship between the analysis of grizzly bear needs and the management actions are illustrated in the case studies.

Parent Publication

• Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 5: Wilderness ecosystems, threats, and management; 1999 May 23-27; Missoula, MT

Citation

Petersen, Derek. 2000. Grizzly bears as a filter for human use management in Canadian Rocky Mountain national parks. In: Cole, David N.; McCool, Stephen F.; Borrie, William T.; O’Loughlin, Jennifer, comps. 2000. Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 5: Wilderness ecosystems, threats, and management; 1999 May 23–27; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-15-VOL-5. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 354-361