Canada lynx occupancy and density in Glacier National Park
Anderson AK, Waller JS, Thornton DH. 2023. Canada lynx occupancy and density in Glacier National Park. Journal of Wildlife Management. :1-24
Park‐wide occupancy survey of lynx using an array of motion‐sensitive cameras during summers in 2018–2021. Within a smaller area of the park, we also estimated lynx density by identifying individuals from subtle markings on the inside of the front leg and employing spatially explicit capture‐recapture analysis. Finally, we linked park‐wide predictions of occupancy with local density to estimate lynx population size across GNP. Lynx were distributed across much of the park in summer and occupancy was influenced by a combination of snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) relative abundance, forest associations, climate, and fire. We successfully identified approximately 75% of lynx captures to individual based on coat markings. Although average park‐wide lynx density was low (1.28/100 km2) compared to populations in the core of the range, park‐wide abundance was substantial for this threatened predator (52; 95% CI = 30–92). Based on our results, we propose that GNP should be considered as a potentially important area for lynx habitat refugia in a warming climate. Moreover, our ability to rapidly assess distribution and density using camera deployments in summer could be useful for long‐term monitoring and recovery assessment.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Anderson, Alissa; Waller, John; Thornton, Daniel
- Units
- CRCO , GLAC
- Keywords
- canada lynx, capture‐recapture, climate change, Lynx canadensis, motion sensitive cameras, non-invasive population monitoring, occupancy, SECR
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Mammals , NPS.gov Subject Site: Climate Change