Factors Influencing Globe Huckleberry Fruit Production in Northwestern Montana

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Globe huckleberry (Vaccinium globulare) fruit is a major food source for the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) in northwestern Montana. A ranked-set sampling pattern was used to determine the effects of wildfires, timber harvest practices, and physical and vegetative site characteristics on globe huckleberry fruit production. Timber stands not disturbed within the last 60 years were among the least-productive sites sampled. Stands on mesic, northern or eastern aspects that were burned by wildfire 25-60 years ago, or clearcut and broadcast-burned 8-15 years ago, were the most productive sites. Wildfires or timber harvests on xeric, southern or western aspects reduced fruit production and percent cover of globe huckleberry plants, as did scarification of clearcuts on any aspect. The relationships between fruit production and vegetative site characteristics reflected the age and physical features of the stands, though fruit production was not related to the percent cover or height of the globe huckleberry plants. Crop failures were apparently related to meteorological events. Therefore, long-range planning to assure production of globe huckleberry fruit crops in the future is recommended for manipulation of grizzly bear habitat.