Lynx Habitat Model for Glacier National Park

Menicke, Richard

Modeled habitat for lynx based on preference for conifer vegetation types and elevations above 4000-ft. Higher severity burn-affected areas were removed from the data set. File Name: lynx_hab_2008 Publication date: 20080807 Abstract: Lynx habitat within Glacier National Park, Montana. GIS modeling derived the intersection of vegetation types preferred by Lynx and elevations above 4000-feet to define lynx habitat areas. Vegetation map classes selected by GNP Wildlife Biologist Steve Gniadek for habitat construction are include: Engelmann Spruce-Wet Shrub Forest Engelmann Spruce Forest Lodgepole Pine Forest Lodgepole Pine Wet Forest Lodgepole Pine Woodland Subalpine Fir-Engelmann Spruce Forest Subalpine Fir-Engelmann Spruce Woodland Subalpine Larch Woodland Western Larch Forest Data source: Glacier NP Vegetation Map (USGS 2007). Supplemental Information: Vegetation classes were selected from the Park vegetation map (USGS 2007), which is based on August 1999 aerial photography. Burn severity grid files were used to identify changes to vegetation structure and composition in fire-affected areas (moderate to high severity and high severity). Burn data from 1999 - 2007 were used to “erase” habitat areas included in the vegetation map classes selected, with the assumption that these areas no longer provide forested cover. Attribute Definition: VALUE field; 1 = lynx habitat; 0 = not lynx habitat (burned sinced 1999 or below 4000 feet or not confier veg type) Use Constraints: Information is a general rendition of lynx habitat based on 1999 Vegetation mapping that was updated to reflect (i.e. remove) burn areas through 2007. These data provide a conceptual model of lynx habitat and should not be used for site-specific decisions.