Density-dependent predation by brown bears (Ursus arctos) on sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)

The number of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) killed by brown bears (Ursus arctos) in 13 streams over more than a decade in southwestern Alaska was best explained by an asymptotic increase to about 3000 salmon killed per stream per year as salmon density increased to 10 000 fish.ha(-1) of stream. Divergence from this pattern at some streams probably reflected variation in the number of bears using the stream (which we did not determine) and variation in salmon biomass consumed per fish killed. Daily surveys at one creek over 11 years revealed about 100-130 salmon killed per day, ranging from a few to over 600. Higher proportions of the available salmon were killed early and late in the season, when densities were low. Thus the number of salmon killed within and among years increased with salmon abundance but at a declining rate, and the proportion killed generally decreased. Our previous work indicated that the average proportion of salmon killed among streams was controlled mostly by stream size, affecting the ability of bears to catch salmon. These findings are important for understanding the effects of bears on salmon population dynamics and their role in the transport of nutrients from salmon carcasses.