Modeling habitat suitability and connectivity of gray wolf (Canis lupus) populations in the Pacific Northwest

• Main Author: Mesler, Jacob I.
• Other Authors: Gunther, Micaela
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt 2015
• Subjects: Wolf; Wildlife; Habitat suitability; Connectivity; Selection; Least cost path; Maxent; Home range; Humboldt State University > Theses > Wildlife; Habitat; Large carnivore; Pacific Northwest; Model; Pacific; Canis lupus; gray wolf
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/150029

Since extirpation from almost the entirety of the United States in the early 20th century, gray wolves have begun to reestablish populations across their historic range. After reintroduction of wolves into the greater Yellowstone area in 1995, wolves have expanded their range to include a large number of western states. Rising to a population size of almost 1700 wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains, wolves have expanded their initial range to move into other regions to the North and west of the reintroduction zone. As wolves continue to disperse into new areas it is important to identify likely areas of pack establishment and dispersal pathways. This study used global positioning system (GPS) collared wolves to identify such areas in the Pacific Northwest. The spatial modeling program Maxent was used to identify areas of high quality wolf habitat throughout the study area of Washington, Oregon and California, with distinction made between wolves within packs and those conducting long distance dispersal. Wolves within packs selected habitat based on an ungulate density index, land cover type, and slope while dispersing wolves selected habitat based on an ungulate density index and anthropogenic impact. Using this information, possible dispersal corridors were identified using least cost path analysis. These techniques were used to identify potential areas of future wolf dispersal and expansion, with possibility of future conflict with people. Identifying these key areas can assist managers in planning and preparation for wolf immigration into their regions. Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Natural Resources: Wildlife, 2015