Habitat Selection by Lynx in the North Cascades

Lynx (Lynx canadensis) recently have been listed as threatened in the contiguous United States by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Lynx have been well studied in the northern boreal forests (taiga), but it is not clear to what extent these research findings can be applied to lynx management and conservation in southern boreal forests, where lynx and snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) habitats are much more fragmented and insular. Basic knowledge of lynx and hare habitat relationships at southern latitudes is needed to provide adequate direction for the management and conservation of lynx in western forests. We propose to investigate coarse and fine scale lynx habitat relationships in north central Washington using snow-tracking methods. Information on lynx and their prey species will be quantified at the landscape and stand levels by documenting habitat availability and use by lynx and their prey. Lynx behaviors including hunting, traveling, resting, and response to roads will be documented using differentially correctable GPS accurate to within 1 meter. Lynx scats and prey remains will be collected for food habits analysis. To estimate the minimum number of lynx on the study area, we will use hair-snagging techniques to collect hair for DNA analysis and individual identification. Information from this study will be provided to resource managers to assist them with lynx management and conservation