Habitat loss, fragmentation and subsequent isolation of habitat patches due to human activities are major factors contributing to species endangerment. Large carnivores such as grizzly bears and...
Description
Habitat loss, fragmentation and subsequent isolation of habitat patches due to human activities are major factors contributing to species endangerment. Large carnivores such as grizzly bears and cougars are particularly susceptible to fragmentation because they are wide-ranging and exist at relatively low population densities. Tools are lacking to predict how habitat-use and movement patterns of large carnivores may change in response to increasing anthropogenic activities such as suburban expansion, recreation, and the development of highways outside of protected areas. Local land management authorities and conservation organizations require empirical data and predictive tools to make and support land-use decisions that affect ecological connectivity for carnivores and their prey in areas with escalating development pressures. This research project is meant to help address this issue by compiling existing data on habitat, human use, and ungulate prey species and conduct new...