Predicting bear intrusions on settlements: A 15 yr beech tree flower research

In current years, black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus) encounter people in rural and suburban areas of Japan resulting in the deaths and accidents of individuals dwelling close to mountainous areas. Unfortunately, this implies the suspected bears are exterminated to forestall additional casualties. It could be fascinating to foretell when black bears usually tend to enter human habitats to successfully warn residents to forestall doable encounters.

Professor Hideyuki Ida of the Faculty of Education, Shinshu University launched into a 15 yr research to see if the provision of beech (Fagus crenata) nuts might predict if bears really feel compelled to enterprise into human-populated areas searching for meals. To predict the beech nut harvest, he collected the female and male reproductive organs of the beech tree to see if there could be enough availability of meals.

By displaying that the fluctuation patterns of beech nut manufacturing and bears exterminated are associated to a numerical mannequin, the info can contribute to the early prediction of mass prevalence of bear intrusions.

Variables within the numerical mannequin embody the manufacturing of beech breeding organs through the years, which embody feminine flowers, male inflorescences, and crammed masts, and the variety of exterminations of dangerous black bears. The beech forests are the principle meals supply for black bears.

In areas the place there are numerous beech bushes within the mountains, whether or not or not bears will descend from the mountains to areas after summer time could be predicted to some extent by observing the diploma of beech flowering earlier than early summer time. That is, the danger of bear intrusion tends to extend because the variety of flowers decreases.

This research occurred over a interval of 15 years in the identical location which was incumbent upon continuous discipline surveys and sampling of reproductive organs. Professor Ida states, “I am pleased that the scientific data collected in the area in which I am a resident can be used to help people.” Previous research have collected knowledge for under 3 to 7 years.

Initially, the long-term monitoring started to elucidate the reproductive ecology of beech, however Professor Ida realized that the info collected might be prolonged to unravel native points concerning biodiversity and the confliction of bears and people. The outcomes from the research might contribute to the discount of direct conflictions and promote a extra harmonious coexistence.

Professor Ida hopes to implement the bear intrusion prediction technique of observing beech male inflorescences in different beech dominant areas within the japanese areas close to the Sea of Japan.

“It was not possible to access the survey site without the cooperation of the local community. I would like to express my gratitude and respect for the people without whose help this research could not be carried out; including the generous cooperation of students and research assistants in sampling and counting.”

The research was printed in Landscape Ecology Engineering.

Provided by
Shinshu University