Journal article
Cougar response to a gradient of human development
Ecosphere (Washington, D.C), Vol.8(7), pp.e01828-n/a
07/2017
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/109814
Abstract
Human populations continue to increase and transform Earth's ecosystems. For large carnivores, human development reduces habitat abundance, alters predator–prey dynamics, and increases the risk of mortality, which may threaten the viability of many populations. To investigate how the cougar (Puma concolor) responds to a gradient of human development in four areas in Washington, USA, we used utilization distributions, county tax parcel data, Weibull modeling analysis, and multiple comparison techniques. Cougars used wildland areas the majority of the time (79% ± 2%, n = 112 cougars), with use decreasing as housing densities increased. When present in human‐developed areas in eastern Washington, 99% of the habitat that cougars used had housing densities ≤76.5 residences/km2, which was <846.0 residences/km2 observed in western Washington (P < 0.01). Cougars used areas in western Washington with greater housing density likely because of the clustered nature of housing developments, the connectivity with greenbelts and forested corridors, and security cover of dense maritime vegetation. Our findings suggest a consistent, albeit nuanced response by cougars to human development that may be used by wildlife managers, landscape planners, and environmental educators to guide and enhance their efforts to minimize the impacts of human development on cougars and reduce the potential for conflicts with people. Our model may also provide guidance for thresholds of human development for other adaptable large carnivores.
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Details
- Title
- Cougar response to a gradient of human development
- Creators
- Benjamin Maletzke - Washington State UniversityBrian Kertson - University of WashingtonMark Swanson - Washington State UniversityGary Koehler - Washington Department of Fish and WildlifeRichard Beausoleil - Washington Department of Fish and WildlifeRobert Wielgus - Washington State UniversityHilary Cooley - Washington State University
- Publication Details
- Ecosphere (Washington, D.C), Vol.8(7), pp.e01828-n/a
- Academic Unit
- Environment, School of the (CAHNRS)
- Number of pages
- 14
- Grant note
- The Cougar Fund Cle Elum/Roslyn School District Laura Foreman Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Washington State University U.S. Forest Service National Science Foundation (0423906) University of Washington U.S. DOE Bonneville Power Administration Fish and Wildlife Program
- Identifiers
- 99900547487801842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article