Navigating fragmented landscapes: Canada lynx brave poor quality habitats while traveling.

ABSTRACT: Anthropogenic and natural habitat fragmentation inhibit movement of animals through landscapes. An important challenge for connectivity conservation is determining which conditions facilitate or limit movements, so that these areas can be prioritized for protection or restoration. We examine Canada lynx Lynx canadensis habitat connectivity in the fragmented North Cascade Mountains of Washington, as an example of a highly mobile species that is specialized both on prey and in habitat needs. We identify lynx Habitat Concentration Areas based on Core Habitat Models, parameterize resistance surfaces from our Matrix Habitat Model, and develop linkages of habitat lynx use to move between patches of high quality habitat. We identify a number of linkages for lynx comprised of habitat conditions th

SUBMITTER: Vanbianchi C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6262728 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature