Frank T van Manen, Ph.D.
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.
Research Interests
Frank's research focus is on 1) grizzly bear and black bear ecology and management, 2) demographic models to inform large carnivore management, 3) resource selection and energy landscapes, 4) wildlife genetics, and 5) international bear conservation.
Formerly, Frank spent 12 years with the USGS Leetown Science Center specializing in responses of mammals to landscape changes, management of large carnivores, and habitat models to support protection and restoration of plants and trees.
For available articles, click on the Publications tab.
Professional Experience
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 35 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), Malaysia, (sun 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 scientific journal Ursus. He has adjunct appointments with Montana State University and the University of Tennessee.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 1994. Ecology and Statistics. University of Tennessee
B.S. and M.S. 1989. Biology. Wageningen Agricultural University, Netherlands
Science and Products
Potential paths for male-mediated gene flow to and from an isolated grizzly bear population
Using diets of Canis breeding pairs to assess resource partitioning between sympatric red wolves and coyotes
Yellowstone grizzly bear investigations — Annual report of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team 2016
Space use and habitat selection by resident and transient red wolves (Canis rufus)
New challenges for grizzly bear management in Yellowstone National Park
Diet and macronutrient optimization in wild ursids: A comparison of grizzly bears with sympatric and allopatric black bears
Detecting grizzly bear use of ungulate carcasses using global positioning system telemetry and activity data
Yellowstone grizzly bear investigations — Annual report of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team 2015
Forty years of grizzly bear recovery in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Density dependence, whitebark pine, and vital rates of grizzly bears
Multiple estimates of effective population size for monitoring a long-lived vertebrate: An application to Yellowstone grizzly bears
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Potential paths for male-mediated gene flow to and from an isolated grizzly bear population
For several decades, grizzly bear populations in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) have increased in numbers and range extent. The GYE population remains isolated and although effective population size has increased since the early 1980s, genetic connectivity between these populations remains a long-term management goal. With only ~110 kmAuthorsChristopher P. Peck, Frank T. van Manen, Cecily M. Costello, Mark A. Haroldson, Lisa Landenburger, Lori L. Roberts, Daniel D. Bjornlie, Richard D. MaceUsing diets of Canis breeding pairs to assess resource partitioning between sympatric red wolves and coyotes
Foraging behaviors of red wolves (Canis rufus) and coyotes (Canis latrans) are complex and their ability to form congeneric breeding pairs and hybridize further complicates our understanding of factors influencing their diets. Through scat analysis, we assessed prey selection of red wolf, coyote, and congeneric breeding pairs formed by red wolves and coyotes, and found that all 3 had similar dietsAuthorsJoseph W. Hinton, Annaliese K. Ashley, Justin A. Dellinger, John L. Gittleman, Frank T. van Manen, Michael J. ChamberlainYellowstone grizzly bear investigations — Annual report of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team 2016
This Annual Report summarizes results of grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) monitoring and research conducted in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) during 2016. The report also contains a summary of grizzly bear management actions to address conflict situations.Space use and habitat selection by resident and transient red wolves (Canis rufus)
Recovery of large carnivores remains a challenge because complex spatial dynamics that facilitate population persistence are poorly understood. In particular, recovery of the critically endangered red wolf (Canis rufus) has been challenging because of its vulnerability to extinction via human-caused mortality and hybridization with coyotes (Canis latrans). Therefore, understanding red wolf space uAuthorsJoseph W. Hinton, Christine Proctor, Marcella J. Kelly, Frank T. van Manen, Michael R. Vaughan, Michael J. ChamberlainNew challenges for grizzly bear management in Yellowstone National Park
A key factor contributing to the success of grizzly bear Ursus arctos conservation in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has been the existence of a large protected area, Yellowstone National Park. We provide an overview of recovery efforts, how demographic parameters changed as the population increased, and how the bear management program in Yellowstone National Park has evolved to address new manAuthorsFrank T. van Manen, Kerry A. GuntherDiet and macronutrient optimization in wild ursids: A comparison of grizzly bears with sympatric and allopatric black bears
When fed ad libitum, ursids can maximize mass gain by selecting mixed diets wherein protein provides 17 ± 4% of digestible energy, relative to carbohydrates or lipids. In the wild, this ability is likely constrained by seasonal food availability, limits of intake rate as body size increases, and competition. By visiting locations of 37 individuals during 274 bear-days, we documented foods consumedAuthorsCecily M. Costello, Steven L. Cain, Shannon R Pils, Leslie Frattaroli, Mark A. Haroldson, Frank T. van ManenDetecting grizzly bear use of ungulate carcasses using global positioning system telemetry and activity data
Global positioning system (GPS) wildlife collars have revolutionized wildlife research. Studies of predation by free-ranging carnivores have particularly benefited from the application of location clustering algorithms to determine when and where predation events occur. These studies have changed our understanding of large carnivore behavior, but the gains have concentrated on obligate carnivores.AuthorsMichael R. Ebinger, Mark A. Haroldson, Frank T. van Manen, Cecily M. Costello, Daniel D. Bjornlie, Daniel J. Thompson, Kerry A. Gunther, Jennifer K. Fortin, Justin E. Teisberg, Shannon R Pils, P J White, Steven L. Cain, Paul C. CrossYellowstone grizzly bear investigations — Annual report of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team 2015
This Annual Report summarizes results of grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) monitoring and research conducted in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) during 2015. The report also contains a summary of grizzly bear management actions to address conflict situations.Forty years of grizzly bear recovery in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
No abstract available.AuthorsFrank T. van Manen, Cecily M. Costello, Kerry A. Gunther, Mark A. HaroldsonDensity dependence, whitebark pine, and vital rates of grizzly bears
Understanding factors influencing changes in population trajectory is important for effective wildlife management, particularly for populations of conservation concern. Annual population growth of the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) population in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, USA has slowed from 4.2–7.6% during 1983–2001 to 0.3–2.2% during 2002–2011. Substantial changes in availability of a key fAuthorsFrank T. van Manen, Mark A. Haroldson, Daniel D. Bjornlie, Michael R. Ebinger, Daniel J. Thompson, Cecily M. Costello, Gary C. WhiteMultiple estimates of effective population size for monitoring a long-lived vertebrate: An application to Yellowstone grizzly bears
Effective population size (Ne) is a key parameter for monitoring the genetic health of threatened populations because it reflects a population's evolutionary potential and risk of extinction due to genetic stochasticity. However, its application to wildlife monitoring has been limited because it is difficult to measure in natural populations. The isolated and well-studied population of grizzly beaAuthorsPauline L. Kamath, Mark A. Haroldson, Gordon Luikart, David Paetkau, Craig L. Whitman, Frank T. van Manen - News