EFFECTS OF WILDFIRE ON AMERICAN BLACK BEAR (URSUS AMERICANUS) POPULATIONS IN LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK

Daniel C. Ruka; UC Davis, National Park Service; dcruka@ucdavis.edu; Roger A. Baldwin

The increasing frequency and intensity of megafires, driven by global climate change, pose significant challenges to wildlife populations and their habitats. In this study, we aim to assess the impact of the 2021 Dixie Fire, one of California's largest wildfires, on the American black bear (Ursus americanus) population within Lassen Volcanic National Park (LVNP). Using remote-triggered cameras and hair snaring techniques across 33 sampling locations, we will evaluate changes in population size, occupancy, and habitat use with data collected before and after the fire. By employing spatially explicit capture-recapture models and occupancy modeling, we will generate detailed insights into how the black bear population has responded to the wildfire disturbance. Our research will advance the scientific understanding of megafire impacts on large omnivorous mammals, providing essential information for conservation management. The findings will inform adaptive strategies for wildlife managers and stakeholders, aiding efforts to mitigate the effects of escalating fire regimes on black bear populations. This research will not only enhance scientific knowledge but also raise awareness of the growing risks and occasional benefits wildfires pose to large mammalian species in fire-prone ecosystems.

Poster Session   Student Paper