Abstract 181 – Effects of human activities on the denning behavior and reproductive success of brown bears

Baptiste Brault, Jeanne Clermont, Andreas Zedrosser, Fanie Pelletier

Human activities have a profound effects on the environment, not only through their presence
in the landscape but also through the human induced climate change. Human influence forces
wildlife to modify their behavior, which can ultimately affect their fitness. For example, rising
temperatures and increase in human presence can alter the hibernation behavior of species
adapted to harsh winters, such as the Scandinavian brown bear (Ursus arctos). Changes in
hibernation phenology can affect individuals’ physical condition, reproductive success,
population dynamics, and frequency of interactions with humans. The aim of this research
project is to determine whether brown bears are adapting to environmental changes by
modifying their habitat selection, their use of different den types, and by changing the timing
and duration of denning. Ultimately, I will examine the effects of climate, human presence, den
type, and denning phenology on litter size. This study will consider the sex, age, and
reproductive status of bears tracked in Sweden over a 20-year period. This project will brin
insights on the ability of long-lived animals to rapidly adapt to environmental changes over time
and space while quantifying the importance of individual factors.