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Abstract
Wildlife viewing, a growing industry throughout North America, holds much potential for increased revenue and public awareness regarding species conservation. In Alaska and British Columbia, grizzly bear (
Ursus arctos) viewing is becoming more popular, attracting tourists from around the world. Viewing is typically done from a land-based observation platform that forces tourists into a centralized location. Studies addressing the impacts of tourism on grizzly bear population fitness have based data collection from similar platforms or towers that overlook the entire viewing area. In larger study areas, this may not be possible. In the K'tzim-a-deen Valley, all viewing is done from boats, thus changing the dynamics of tourism. The impacts of boat-based tourism are likely different than those of land-based tourism; therefore, this research attempted to quantify the former so that the two can be compared. Data collection that focused on grizzly bear behavior was accomplished from a small boat. With this new methodological approach different challenges arose that required innovative solutions in the field. This paper outlines a new boat-based methodology and its associated challenges, for studying the impacts of boat-based viewing on grizzly bears.
Parent Publication
Keywords
wilderness,
biodiversity,
protected areas,
economics,
subsistence,
tourism,
traditional knowledge,
community involvement,
policy,
stewardship,
education,
spiritual values
Citation
Elmeligi, Sarah. 2007. Studying boat-based bear viewing: Methodological challenges and solutions. In: Watson, Alan; Sproull, Janet; Dean, Liese, comps. Science and stewardship to protect and sustain wilderness values: Eighth World Wilderness Congress symposium; September 30-October 6, 2005; Anchorage, AK. Proceedings RMRS-P-49. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 178-184
