Black Bear Foraging in Response to Beech Bark Disease in Northern Vermont

Several studies have demonstrated the relationship between black bear (Ursus americanus) reproductive success and the availability of hard mast. Beech bark disease (BBD) has been shown to reduce mast production in beech trees; however, no studies have investigated the relationship between bear foraging preferences of beech trees and the presence of BBD. To investigate this, we measured the severity of Nectria fungus and beech scale insect on freshly clawed and unclawed trees in pooled beech stands in northern Vermont. Our results suggest that bears do not have a strong preference for climbing healthier beech trees in aftermath forests. Changes in landscape composition and in cultural values appear to have been more important processes affecting black bear populations today than has BBD; however, we still advocate management strategies to minimize the impacts of this disease.