Conclusion

The Multiple-Criteria Evaluation conducted here provides a basis for understanding which habitats should be preserved, while the results of the kernel density and corridor analysis indicate those areas which are likely most significant to the grizzly bears from which the GPS-tracking data was collected. The findings of this study indicate that areas of low slope, mid elevation, and wetland cover are most suitable to grizzly bears inhabiting the North Slope. Few grizzly bears were recorded moving across slopes greater than 50% or at high elevations. While males and females appeared to respond similarly to changes in slope and land cover, there were notable differences in the frequency with which each group was located at different elevations.

Several questions were also raised over the course of this study. While the goal of the research was to delineate migration corridors for grizzly bears, the results were varied and complex, indicating that further analysis needs to be done before optimal corridors can be confidently identified. The low tendency of female bears to use such corridors should also be taken into consideration, as this could affect the effectiveness of conservation efforts. Additionally, as bears appear to avoid regions deemed to be highly suitable, further analysis should be done on the influence of additional variables such as soil moisture, human activity and stream order on bear movement.