Abstract 301 – Partitioning Human and Brown Bear Niches: Transboundary Connectivity and Human Disturbance in the Alpine Region (PartNiche)

Sydney Stephens, Andrea Corradini, Natalia Bragalanti, Claudio Groff, Nina Gandl,
Sybille Klenzendorf, Francesca Cagnacci

The Alpine ecosystem in Europe, a region marked by both rich biodiversity and intensive human
use, stands at the forefront of conservation challenges, particularly concerning the coexistence
of humans and wildlife. This research, set within the mulit-national landscape of the Alps, aims
to elucidate the complex interplay between human activities and the habitat use and
connectivity of the brown bear (Ursus arctos), a species emblematic of both conservation
success and social conflict. After reintroduction of brown bears to Trentino, Italy 25 years ago,
the growing population allows for continued range expansion into former habitat throughout
the Alps. Leveraging a multidisciplinary approach, the study designs models to analyze spatio-
temporal patterns of bear movements and human-bear interactions, focusing on areas
impacted by human infrastructure, recreational activities, and changing social acceptance of
large carnivores.
Employing bio-logging, remote sensing technologies, and socio-ecological surveys, the research
aims to produce dynamic, fine-scale representations of current bear distribution, connectivity
to potential habitat within and outside the population range, and human-bear conflict zones
stemming from both tangible and sociological human disturbance. Historical and sociological
drivers of wildlife tolerance will also be investigated. Anticipated preliminary results include the
identification of key areas of habitat, connectivity, and conflict hotspots. This research and its
products such as interactive suitability maps, predicted areas of conflicts, and science-based
conservation protocols, are done with the goal of contributing to the Conflict-to-Coexistence
(C2C) Approach for mitigating human-wildlife conflicts through informed conservation
strategies, and addressing the urgent need for a harmonized coexistence between humans and
the recovering Alpine brown bear population.