Habitat characteristics around dens in female brown bears with cubs are density dependent

Abstract The mechanisms determining habitat use in animal populations have important implications for population dynamics, conservation, and management. Here, we investigated how an increase annual numbers of brown bear females with cubs the year (FCOY) a growing, yet threatened population, could explain differences characteristics around reproductive dens. Habitat FCOY dens were compared between low density period (1995–2005) when was increasing (2006–2016). We also distance to nearest breeding area all other areas observed during same year. results suggested that second period, closer rivers, fruit trees, anthropogenic sources disturbance (trails, highways) than 1995–2005. There shorter distances closest neighboring area, while mean among increased as grew expanded at landscape level. These changes may reflect best den locations increasingly occupied (i.e., ideal-despotic distribution), be further explained by avoidance conspecifics critical time year, newborn are most vulnerable. suggest both density-dependent factors human-related features crucial understanding long-term dynamics species.