Frank van Manen is an ecologist who blends his research interest in large carnivores with landscape ecology and is the team lead of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team.
Education
Ph.D. 1994. Ecology and Statistics. University of Tennessee
B.S. and M.S. 1989. Wageningen Agricultural University, Netherlands
Research Interests
In 2012 Frank became Team Leader of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, a cooperative research team that addresses monitoring and research needs for the Greater Yellowstone grizzly bear population. His research focus for the past 25 years has been on bear ecology and management. Prior to his current research on Yellowstone grizzly bears, he conducted numerous studies on American black bears in the southeastern U.S. He has also collaborated on field studies with bear researchers in Ecuador (Andean bear), Sri Lanka (sloth bear), and China (giant panda).
Frank served as Treasurer and then President of the International Association for Bear Research and Management from 2001 through 2013 and is an Associate Editor for the Journal Ursus. He has adjunct appointments with Montana State University and the University of Tennessee.
Frank was born in Arnhem, The Netherlands and earned a combined B.S. and M.S. degree from Wageningen University. After an internship at the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, he entered the doctoral program at University of Tennessee with a major in Ecology and a minor in Statistics.
Formerly, Frank spent 12 years with the USGS Leetown Science Center specializing in (1) responses of mammals to landscape changes; (2) management of large carnivores; (3) international bear conservation; and (4) habitat models to support protection and restoration of plants and trees.
For available articles, click on the Publications tab.
Science and Products
The Effects of Climate Variability and Change on Human-Bear Conflict in North America
Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team
NOROCK Large Carnivore Research Program
IGBST Grizzly Bear Food Synthesis Report
Documented known and probable grizzly bear mortalities in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, 2015-2021
Detection histories of grizzly bears in Grand Teton National Park, 2014-2015
Canine distemper virus antibody titer results for grizzly bears and wolves in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem 1984-2014
Predicted carnivore conservation hotspots in Peninsular Malaysia
Potential movement paths for male grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) dispersal between the Northern Continental Divide and Greater Yellowstone Ecosystems, 2000-2015
Grizzly bear movement models predict habitat use for nearby populations
Enhancements to population monitoring of Yellowstone grizzly bears
Genetic architecture and evolution of color variation in American black bears
Tooth wear and the apparent consumption of human foods among American black bears (Ursus americanus) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA
Rub tree use and selection by American black bears and grizzly bears in northern Yellowstone National Park
Responses of American black bears to spring resources
Agent-based models for collective animal movement: Proximity-induced state switching
Anthropogenic edge effects in habitat selection by sun bears in a protected area
A reassessment of Chao2 estimates for population monitoring of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Quantifying energetic costs and defining energy landscapes experienced by grizzly bears
Mammal species composition and habitat associations in a commercial forest and mixed-plantation landscape
Science and Products
- Science
The Effects of Climate Variability and Change on Human-Bear Conflict in North America
Human-bear conflicts are a common problem and management priority for many wildlife agencies in North America. Bears are adaptable to anthropogenic activity and food sources which creates opportunities for conflict including property damage, livestock depredation, and human injury. Acute climate events and long-term directional climate change can exacerbate human-wildlife conflict by changing resoInteragency Grizzly Bear Study Team
The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) is an interdisciplinary group of scientists and biologists responsible for long-term monitoring and research efforts on grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). The team was formed by the Department of the Interior (DOI) in 1973 as a direct result of controversy surrounding the closure of open pit garbage dumps within Yellowstone...NOROCK Large Carnivore Research Program
NOROCK has substantial expertise in large carnivore research, primarily involving species listed as Threatened or Endangered. NOROCK’s Large Carnivore Research Program includes scientists from NOROCK’s Headquarters, West Glacier Field Station, and the Southern Appalachian Field Station. Studies are conducted in a wide variety of landscapes throughout the U.S., as well as international research...IGBST Grizzly Bear Food Synthesis Report
How to Cite: Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team. 2013. Response of Yellowstone grizzly bears to changes in food resources: a synthesis. Report to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee and Yellowstone Ecosystem Subcommittee. Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, Montana, USA. - Data
Documented known and probable grizzly bear mortalities in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, 2015-2021
We evaluate mortalities for population segments within the DMA by deriving estimates of total mortality for independent-age (equal to or less than 2 years old) females and independent-age males, including estimates of unknown/unreported mortalities based on Cherry et al. (2002). We then determine the total annual mortality rate for these segments as a percent of their respective population estimatDetection histories of grizzly bears in Grand Teton National Park, 2014-2015
This dataset contains detection histories of grizzly bears in areas of Grand Teton National Park that are open for elk harvest as part of the Elk Reduction Program. Sampling followed a robust design analysis with 6 primary sampling periods of 4 weekly secondary sampling periods each during 2014-2015. In both years, primary sampling periods were in July-August (no elk hunt), September-October (no eCanine distemper virus antibody titer results for grizzly bears and wolves in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem 1984-2014
We investigated the dynamics of canine distemper virus (CDV) in grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) and wolves (Canis lupus) of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem using serological data collected from 1984 to 2014. 565 sera samples were obtained from 425 unique grizzly bears (134 females and 291 males) from 1984 to 2014 and 319 sera samples were obtained from 285 unique wolves (130 females and 155 males)Predicted carnivore conservation hotspots in Peninsular Malaysia
A raster surface identifying hotspots of conservation priority based on 375 location records (89 unique geographic locations) of 28 species of Carnivora in Peninsular Malaysia. Hotspot analysis was conducted by calculating the Getis-Ord Gi* (pronounced G-i-star) statistic, using IUCN Red List status rank for each species as a weighting variable. Raster cell values represent a kernel density of z-sPotential movement paths for male grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) dispersal between the Northern Continental Divide and Greater Yellowstone Ecosystems, 2000-2015
For several decades, grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) populations in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) have increased in numbers and range extent. Whereas the NCDE population is contiguous with grizzly bear populations in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, genetic evidence suggests the GYE population remains isolated. Recent analyses indicate the ef - Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 69
Grizzly bear movement models predict habitat use for nearby populations
Conservation planning and decision-making can be enhanced by ecological models that reliably transfer to times and places beyond those where models were developed. Transferrable models can be especially helpful for species of conservation concern, such as grizzly bears (Ursus arctos). Currently, only four grizzly bear populations remain in the contiguous United States. We evaluated transferabilityEnhancements to population monitoring of Yellowstone grizzly bears
In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, counts of female grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) with cubs-of-the-year (females with cubs) from systematic aerial surveys and opportunistic ground sightings are combined with demographic data to derive annual population estimates. We addressed 2 limitations to the monitoring approach. As part of a rule set, a conservative distance of >30 km currently is used as aGenetic architecture and evolution of color variation in American black bears
Color variation is a frequent evolutionary substrate for camouflage in small mammals, but the underlying genetics and evolutionary forces that drive color variation in natural populations of large mammals are mostly unexplained. The American black bear, Ursus americanus (U. americanus), exhibits a range of colors including the cinnamon morph, which has a similar color to the brown bear, U. arctos,Tooth wear and the apparent consumption of human foods among American black bears (Ursus americanus) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA
Stable isotope analyses of hair have been used to estimate the consumption of human foods by American black bears (Ursus americanus). Consumption of human foods influences body mass and reproductive success of bears. However, the underlying factors that cause some bears to become conflict bears and resort to consuming human foods as a portion of their diet are not fully understood. We collected haRub tree use and selection by American black bears and grizzly bears in northern Yellowstone National Park
Several of the world's bear species exhibit tree-rubbing behavior, which is thought to be a form of scent-marking communication. Many aspects of this behavior remain unexplored, including differences in rub tree selection between sympatric bear species. We compiled rub tree data collected on Yellowstone National Park's Northern Range (USA) and compared rub tree selection of sympatric American blacResponses of American black bears to spring resources
In temperate regions of the world, food resources are seasonally limited, which causes some wildlife species to seek out nutrient-rich resources to better meet their caloric needs. Animals that utilize high-quality resources may reap fitness benefits as they prepare for mating, migration, or hibernation. American black bears (Ursus americanus) are omnivores that consume both plant and animal foodAgent-based models for collective animal movement: Proximity-induced state switching
Animal movement is a complex phenomenon where individual movement patterns can be influenced by a variety of factors including the animal’s current activity, available terrain and habitat, and locations of other animals. Motivated by modeling grizzly bear movement in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, this article presents an agent-based model represented in a state-space framework for collectiveAnthropogenic edge effects in habitat selection by sun bears in a protected area
Wildlife populations in southeast Asia are increasingly experiencing a broad array of anthropogenic threats, and mammalian carnivores are particularly vulnerable. Populations of the Malayan sun bear Helarctos malayanus are estimated to have declined by 30% over the last 30 years from forest conversion to industrial plantations and mortality associated with human–bear conflicts and illegal wildlifeA reassessment of Chao2 estimates for population monitoring of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
The Yellowstone Ecosystem Subcommittee (YES) asked the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) to re-assess a technique used in annual population estimation and trend monitoring of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). This technique is referred to as the Chao2 approach and estimates the number of females with cubs-of-the-year (hereafter, females with cubs) and, in associatQuantifying energetic costs and defining energy landscapes experienced by grizzly bears
Animal movements are major determinants of energy expenditure and ultimately the cost–benefit of landscape use. Thus, we sought to understand those costs and how grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) move in mountainous landscapes. We trained captive grizzly bears to walk on a horizontal treadmill and up and down 10% and 20% slopes. The cost of moving upslope increased linearly with speed and slope angle,Mammal species composition and habitat associations in a commercial forest and mixed-plantation landscape
Commercial forest plantations of fast-growing species have been established globally to meet increasing demands for timber, pulpwood, and other wood products. Industrial plantations may contribute to tropical forest conservation by reducing exploitation of primary and secondary natural forests. Whether such plantations can support critical elements of biodiversity, including provision of habitat a - News