Joseph Clark, Ph.D.
Dr. Joseph Clark is Branch Chief of the U.S. Geological Survey’s NOROCK Southern Appalachian Field Branch, located at the University of Tennessee, where he conducts hypothesis-driven environmental research focusing on Department of Interior issues in the southern Appalachians and elsewhere. Dr. Clark holds an Adjunct Professor appointment in the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries.
Research Interests
Dr. Clark is a wildlife biologist and specializes in carnivore ecology, population dynamics, and habitat modeling. Dr. Clark served for 9 years as a Research Biologist and Assistant Chief with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. As such, Dr. Clark has a unique perspective of wildlife resource management from both the practical as well as academic side. Dr. Clark has studied population dynamics of black bears in the Interior Highlands of Arkansas, at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, in the Mobile Basin of Alabama, White River National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas, and throughout Louisiana; has evaluated the effects of public use (i.e., deer hunting) on Florida panthers ecology and management in south Florida; has developed methods for black bear reintroduction in Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Arkansas; has performed a demographic analysis of a reintroduced elk herd at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina; and has studied muskrat and river otter ecology at Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky. Current projects include a population viability assessment for the threatened Louisiana black bear, a nuisance bear study and a feral hog study in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and a statewide mark-recapture bear population estimate for Florida.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. (Zoology), 1991, University of Arkansas
M.S. (Wildlife Biology), 1982, University of Georgia
B.S. (Wildlife Biology), 1980, University of Georgia
Science and Products
Population viability analysis to identify management priorities for reintroduced elk in the Cumberland Mountains, Tennessee
Effects of exploitation on black bear populations at White River National Wildlife Refuge
Aspects and implications of bear reintroduction: Chapter 6
A habitat assessment for Florida panther population expansion into central Florida
Mammals of the Smokies
Demographics of an experimentally released population of elk in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Challenges of DNA-based mark-recapture studies of American black bears
Testing a Mahalanobis distance model of black bear habitat use in the Ouachita Mountains of Oklahoma
Identifying sites for elk restoration in Arkansas
Identifying suitable sites for Florida panther reintroduction
Growth and sustainability of black bears at White River National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas
Bait stations, hard mast, and black bear population growth in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Science and Products
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Population viability analysis to identify management priorities for reintroduced elk in the Cumberland Mountains, Tennessee
We used an individual-based population model to perform a viability analysis to simulate population growth (λ) of 167 elk (Cervus elaphus manitobensis; 71 male and 96 female) released in the Cumberland Mountains, Tennessee, to estimate sustainability (i.e., λ > 1.0) and identify the most appropriate options for managing elk restoration. We transported elk from Elk Island National Park, Alberta, CaAuthorsJ.L. Kindall, L.I. Muller, J. D. Clark, J.L. Lupardus, J.L. MurrowEffects of exploitation on black bear populations at White River National Wildlife Refuge
We live-trapped American black bears (Ursus americanus) and sampled DNA from hair at White River National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas, USA, to estimate annual population size (N), growth (λ), and density. We estimated N and λ with open population models, based on live-trapping data collected from 1998 through 2006, and robust design models for genotyped hair samples collected from 2004 through 2007.AuthorsJ. D. Clark, R. Eastridge, M.J. HookerAspects and implications of bear reintroduction: Chapter 6
Bear reintroduction has been practiced worldwide with varying degrees of success. Homing is a significant issue for American black bears, Ursus americanus, and winter-release techniques of females with cubs have been successfully used to improve settling rates and survival. Reintroduction success for all bear species appears to be positively correlated with translocation distance, and success isAuthorsJoseph D. ClarkA habitat assessment for Florida panther population expansion into central Florida
One of the goals of the Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) recovery plan is to expand panther range north of the Caloosahatchee River in central Florida. Our objective was to evaluate the potential of that region to support panthers. We used a geographic information system and the Mahalanobis distance statistic to develop a habitat model based on landscape characteristics associated with pantheAuthorsC.A. Thatcher, F.T. Van Manen, J. D. ClarkMammals of the Smokies
Guide to the most popular and famous critters in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Includes bear, elk, deer, flying squirrels, and buffalo.AuthorsEdward Pivorun, M. J. Harvey, F.T. Van Manen, M.R. Pelton, J. D. Clark, E. Kim Delozier, B. StiverDemographics of an experimentally released population of elk in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
We assessed the potential for reestablishing elk (Cervus elaphus) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), USA, by estimating vital rates of experimentally released animals from 2001 to 2006. Annual survival rates for calves ranged from 0.333 to 1.0 and averaged 0.592. Annual survival for subadult and adult elk (i.e., ≥1 yr of age) ranged from 0.690 to 0.933, depending on age and sex. We usAuthorsJennifer L. Murrow, Joseph D. Clark, E. Kim DelozierChallenges of DNA-based mark-recapture studies of American black bears
We explored whether genetic sampling would be feasible to provide a region-wide population estimate for American black bears (Ursus americanus) in the southern Appalachians, USA. Specifically, we determined whether adequate capture probabilities (p >0.20) and population estimates with a low coefficient of variation (CV <20%) could be achieved given typical agency budget and personnel constraints.AuthorsK.E. Settlage, F.T. Van Manen, J. D. Clark, T.L. KingTesting a Mahalanobis distance model of black bear habitat use in the Ouachita Mountains of Oklahoma
Regional wildlife–habitat models are commonly developed but rarely tested with truly independent data. We tested a published habitat model for black bears (Ursus americanus) with new data collected in a different site in the same ecological region (i.e., Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma, USA). We used a Mahalanobis distance model developed from relocations of black bears in Arkansas toAuthorsE. C. Hellgren, S.L. Bales, M.S. Gregory, David M. Leslie, J. D. ClarkIdentifying sites for elk restoration in Arkansas
We used spatial data to identify potential areas for elk (Cervus elaphus) restoration in Arkansas. To assess habitat, we used locations of 239 elk groups collected from helicopter surveys in the Buffalo National River area of northwestern Arkansas, USA, from 1992 to 2002. We calculated the Mahalanobis distance (D2) statistic based on the relationship between those elk-group locations and a suite oAuthorsR.L. Telesco, F.T. Van Manen, J. D. Clark, Michael E. CartwrightIdentifying suitable sites for Florida panther reintroduction
A major objective of the 1995 Florida Panther (Puma concolor cory) Recovery Plan is the establishment of 2 additional panther populations within the historic range. Our goal was to identify prospective sites for Florida panther reintroduction within the historic range based on quantitative landscape assessments. First, we delineated 86 panther home ranges using telemetry data collected from 1981 tAuthorsCindy A. Thatcher, Frank T. van Manen, Joseph D. ClarkGrowth and sustainability of black bears at White River National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas
The black bear (Ursus americanus) population at White River National Wildlife Refuge is isolated and genetically distinct, but hunting occurs adjacent to refuge boundaries and females with cubs are removed annually for a reintroduction project. We trapped and radiotracked bears to determine level of exploitation and compare methods for estimating population growth and sustainability. We captured 2AuthorsJoseph D. Clark, R. EastridgeBait stations, hard mast, and black bear population growth in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Bait-station surveys are used by wildlife managers as an index to American black bear (Ursus americanus) population abundance, but the relationship is not well established. Hard mast surveys are similarly used to assess annual black bear food availability which may affect mortality and natality rates. We used data collected in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) from 1989 to 2003 to determAuthorsJoseph D. Clark, Frank T. van Manen, Michael R. Pelton - News