Synthesis of habitat models for management of wolverine (Gulo gulo): Identifying key habitat and snow refugia in the Columbia and Rocky Mountains, Canada
The wolverine is a wide-ranging and frequently at-risk or data-deficient species with dramatic range contractions across the northern hemisphere. Recent reports of low population densities inside and outside protected areas in western North America highlight the need for better conservation practice...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Global Ecology and Conservation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989423001750 |
| _version_ | 1827808451073409024 |
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| author | Gabriel Schepens Karine Pigeon Anne Loosen Anne Forshner Aerin L. Jacob |
| author_facet | Gabriel Schepens Karine Pigeon Anne Loosen Anne Forshner Aerin L. Jacob |
| author_sort | Gabriel Schepens |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The wolverine is a wide-ranging and frequently at-risk or data-deficient species with dramatic range contractions across the northern hemisphere. Recent reports of low population densities inside and outside protected areas in western North America highlight the need for better conservation practice, policy, and planning across large landscapes. To assess broad habitat needs, we synthesized available wolverine habitat models in the Columbia and Rocky Mountains (63,000 km2), Canada. We used coefficients from four existing models to create spatial predictions over environmental datasets including snow, landcover, and roads. We averaged predictions using the distance-weighted mean of equal-area percentile habitat values and validated the output by comparison to independent data. Because persistent spring snow is tightly correlated with high-quality habitat, we assessed 2080 spring snow cover forecasts (under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 high emissions scenario) to identify potential habitat refugia in British Columbia. Our synthesized habitat model identified high-quality habitat along mountain ranges, notably in the Purcell Mountains and the Columbia Icefield in the Rocky Mountains. Mean habitat value was 0.70 (SD: 0.19) inside protected areas and 0.55 (SD: 0.28) outside protected areas. The British Columbia side of the study area is forecasted to lose 44% of persistent spring snow cover by 2080, with declines identified inside many protected areas. By synthesizing existing habitat research and climate forecasts, we provided new insights at the broad spatial scale needed to conserve wide-ranging species like wolverine and to inform land-use planning for recreational access and the establishment and management of protected and conserved areas. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T22:27:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-df15687e123f4e2db31d5dba72bacf9d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2351-9894 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T22:27:18Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Global Ecology and Conservation |
| spelling | doaj.art-df15687e123f4e2db31d5dba72bacf9d2023-09-24T05:15:15ZengElsevierGlobal Ecology and Conservation2351-98942023-10-0146e02540Synthesis of habitat models for management of wolverine (Gulo gulo): Identifying key habitat and snow refugia in the Columbia and Rocky Mountains, CanadaGabriel Schepens0Karine Pigeon1Anne Loosen2Anne Forshner3Aerin L. Jacob4Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, 200-1350 Railway Ave, Canmore, Alberta T1W 1P6, Canada; Correspondence to: 1350 Railway Ave #200, Canmore, AB T1W 1P6, Canada.Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, 200-1350 Railway Ave, Canmore, Alberta T1W 1P6, Canada; University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia V2N 4Z9, Canada; Government of British Columbia, Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Bag 5000, 3726 Alfred Avenue, Smithers, British Columbia V0J 2N0, CanadaYellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, 200-1350 Railway Ave, Canmore, Alberta T1W 1P6, Canada; University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia V2N 4Z9, CanadaParks Canada, Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks, PO Box 213, Lake Louise, Alberta T0L1E0, CanadaYellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, 200-1350 Railway Ave, Canmore, Alberta T1W 1P6, Canada; University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia V2N 4Z9, Canada; Nature Conservancy of Canada, 200-825 Broughton Street, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1E5, CanadaThe wolverine is a wide-ranging and frequently at-risk or data-deficient species with dramatic range contractions across the northern hemisphere. Recent reports of low population densities inside and outside protected areas in western North America highlight the need for better conservation practice, policy, and planning across large landscapes. To assess broad habitat needs, we synthesized available wolverine habitat models in the Columbia and Rocky Mountains (63,000 km2), Canada. We used coefficients from four existing models to create spatial predictions over environmental datasets including snow, landcover, and roads. We averaged predictions using the distance-weighted mean of equal-area percentile habitat values and validated the output by comparison to independent data. Because persistent spring snow is tightly correlated with high-quality habitat, we assessed 2080 spring snow cover forecasts (under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 high emissions scenario) to identify potential habitat refugia in British Columbia. Our synthesized habitat model identified high-quality habitat along mountain ranges, notably in the Purcell Mountains and the Columbia Icefield in the Rocky Mountains. Mean habitat value was 0.70 (SD: 0.19) inside protected areas and 0.55 (SD: 0.28) outside protected areas. The British Columbia side of the study area is forecasted to lose 44% of persistent spring snow cover by 2080, with declines identified inside many protected areas. By synthesizing existing habitat research and climate forecasts, we provided new insights at the broad spatial scale needed to conserve wide-ranging species like wolverine and to inform land-use planning for recreational access and the establishment and management of protected and conserved areas.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989423001750CarnivoreClimate changeLarge landscape conservationSpecies at risk |
| spellingShingle | Gabriel Schepens Karine Pigeon Anne Loosen Anne Forshner Aerin L. Jacob Synthesis of habitat models for management of wolverine (Gulo gulo): Identifying key habitat and snow refugia in the Columbia and Rocky Mountains, Canada Global Ecology and Conservation Carnivore Climate change Large landscape conservation Species at risk |
| title | Synthesis of habitat models for management of wolverine (Gulo gulo): Identifying key habitat and snow refugia in the Columbia and Rocky Mountains, Canada |
| title_full | Synthesis of habitat models for management of wolverine (Gulo gulo): Identifying key habitat and snow refugia in the Columbia and Rocky Mountains, Canada |
| title_fullStr | Synthesis of habitat models for management of wolverine (Gulo gulo): Identifying key habitat and snow refugia in the Columbia and Rocky Mountains, Canada |
| title_full_unstemmed | Synthesis of habitat models for management of wolverine (Gulo gulo): Identifying key habitat and snow refugia in the Columbia and Rocky Mountains, Canada |
| title_short | Synthesis of habitat models for management of wolverine (Gulo gulo): Identifying key habitat and snow refugia in the Columbia and Rocky Mountains, Canada |
| title_sort | synthesis of habitat models for management of wolverine gulo gulo identifying key habitat and snow refugia in the columbia and rocky mountains canada |
| topic | Carnivore Climate change Large landscape conservation Species at risk |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989423001750 |
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