Canada lynx habitat and topographic use patterns in north central Washington: A reanalysis [Chapter 10]

Abstract

We examined habitat selection by 22 lynx on the Okanogan National Forest in Washington, analyzing radio-telemetry data collected during two previous studies, 1981 through 1988. At a coarse scale, lynx showed little use of areas below 1,400 m or above 2,150 m. Within the zone between 1,400 and 2,150 m, lynx used areas with slopes <10% and moderate stream densities in winter. Selection for combinations of physical variables and vegetation types was stronger in winter versus summer, and lynx showed strong selection for lodgepole pine cover types in winter. Relative abundance of snowshoe hares measured from pellet counts on plots within the study area were highest within lodgepole pine and lowest within Douglas-fir cover types, and winter selectivity may have been influenced by abundance and distribution of hares. In summer, lynx avoided Douglas-fir cover types and selected northeast aspects; Douglas-fir tended to occur on southwest aspects, especially at higher elevations. Road densities in the study area did not have a significant effect on habitat selection, and lynx crossed roads at frequencies that did not differ from random expectation.

Parent Publication

• Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States

Citation

McKelvey, Kevin S.; Ortega, Yvette K.; Koehler, Gary M.; Aubry, Keith B.; Brittell, J. David. 1999. Canada lynx habitat and topographic use patterns in north central Washington: A reanalysis [Chapter 10]. In: Ruggiero, Leonard F.; Aubry, Keith B.; Buskirk, Steven W.; Koehler, Gary M.; Krebs, Charles J.; McKelvey, Kevin S.; Squires, John R. Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 307-336.