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Abstract

A grizzly bear habitat classification was developed by modifying and expanding the climax-based Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) to accommodate serai vegetation. Locations of radio-collared bears were assigned to a large number (N=110) of structurally and floristically unique habitats. An interpretive classification of 14 Bear Habitat Units (BHUs) was derived from the taxa of the BEC system; units were amalgamated on the basis of grizzly bear habitat value and similarity of response to forest management practices. Fifteen climax forest, three subalpine, three wetland, and three avalanche chute units were identified and described in the lower Kimsquit River. Two adult female grizzly bears (numbers 08 and 25) were monitored for 1238 and 1196 days, respectively, from April 1982 to October 1985 and had multi-annual minimum convex polygon (MCP) home ranges of 85 km² (N=23 6), and 60 km² (N=241). River floodplain BHUs were used most heavily by bears 08 and 25 during their active seasons (65% of locations and 51% of time for bear 08; 75% of locations and 63% of time for bear 25) followed by avalanche chutes and sidehill climax and old-growth forests. Rank testing between quality/quantity indices (food plant nutrient content, biomass, berry abundance) and grizzly bear use indicated that movements were generally correlated with food availability at the higher, or BHU, level of the classification (rs=0.61 and 0.83, p