AMERICAN BLACK BEAR (URSUS AMERICANUS) USE OF HIGHWAY UNDERPASSES IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY
Date
2025-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
The state of New Jersey balances a large human population with associated
transportation infrastructure and urban development with an ecological diversity that
encompasses many species and habitat types. One key member of that ecological
diversity is the American black bear (Ursus americanus), a quintessential omnivore
found throughout the state despite many major roadways that could pose barriers to
movement and habitat connectivity. Here I examine black bear movement dynamics at
existing underpass structures of major roadways in Northern New Jersey. We
monitored 37 potential crossing structures along State Route 1, Interstate 78, Interstate
80, Interstate 95, State Route 202, and State Route 206, using trail cameras. My
findings suggest that the current North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative
metric used to assess underpasses for bear use may not accurately predict bear use, and
that habitat related factors, specifically the amount of core habitat in the area
surrounding each underpass, may provide a stronger predictive basis for where a bear
crossing might occur. These findings can be used to better inform the future placement
or enhancement of crossing structures for use by black bear. This will be important in
the continued management of human-wildlife conflict in the most densely population
state in the nation.