Using multiple regression analysis to associate education levels and financial compensation with livestock producers' tolerance for grizzly bears in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem

Abstract

The study area is the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem located in north central and northwest Montana. The problem addressed in the study is that wildlife managers need to know if tolerance for grizzly bears can be predicted based upon education levels (formal education and self-initiated education) and financial compensation to livestock producers living in or near the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem. A survey questionnaire was mailed to a sample of 700 livestock producers with a response rate of 55.4%. Relationships were computed using multiple regression, bivariate analysis, t-tests, and chi-square. Results indicate there is statistical significance when correlating formal education and financial compensation with tolerance. However, there was no correlation between self-initiated education and tolerance. Three of the four null hypotheses were rejected, concluding that formal education and financial compensation (for losses of livestock only and losses of livestock plus other costs) are predictors of tolerance for grizzly bears.