Abstract
In order to analyze the cause of bark stripping by Japanese black bears and to develop effective methods to prevent this damage, we examined food habits and body condition of the bear from 1998 to 2000 in Neo Village, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Fecal analysis indicated that more conifer sapwood was consumed in 1999 and 2000 than in 1998. In contrast, a percentage of Gray's bird cherries (Prunus grayana) by dry weight was lower in 1999 and 2000 than in 1998. The dietary condition of bears expressed by serum urea nitrogen concentrations and blood hemoglobin concentrations in 1999 and 2000 was worse than that in 1998. These results suggest that the damage tends to happen when food production and nutritional availability in the stands is poor. If there is more food for the bears to consume, the damage in the stands should be lighter. Vegetation similar to that of the forest edge, where heliophytes grow, may be desirable. By diversifying the forest composition, introducing herbaceous plants that require more sunlight on forest floor through use of a regeneration management prescription, and actively growing preferred Japanese black bear foods in the forest environment, it may be possible to prevent bark stripping damage to plantation trees.
