Linking spatial variations in life-history traits to environmental conditions across American black bear populations

Spatial variations in food availability may influence life-history traits of wildlife species, particularly in capital breeding species that store energy when food is widely available and catabolize it during energy-intensive reproductive periods. The reproductive success of capital breeders is thus highly dependent on the accumulation of fat reserves. Reproductive success may also improve with access to alternative food resources provided by environments with strong human footprint and anthropogenic disturbances, but these environments may also increase mortality risks of wildlife. We performed a systematic review to extract reproduction and survival traits reported in studies on the American black bear (Ursus americanus), a capital breeder. Based on 94 studies widely distributed across North America, we conducted meta-regression analyses to assess whether interpopulation variation in age at primiparity, litter size of cubs, annual cub survival, and annual survival of adult females we..., , , # Linking spatial variations in life-history traits to environmental conditions across American black bear populations

Investigators information:

Name: Lisyanne Metthe (principal investigator & contact for questions)

Institution 1: Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs

Address 1: 880 chemin Ste-Foy, Quebec City, QC G1S 4X4, Canada

Institution 2: Laval University

Address 2: 1045 avenue de la Médecine, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada

Email: [[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail])

Name: Christian Dussault

Institution 1: Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs

Address 1: 880 chemin Ste-Foy, Quebec City, QC G1S 4X4, Canada

Institution 2: Laval University

Address 2: 1045 avenue de la Médecine, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada

Email: [[e-mail]](mailto:christian.dussault@environne...