Land cover and other geospatial layers created for the paper: Evaluating population connectivity and targeting conservation action for an endangered cat. https://doi.org/10.7944/P92D26LI

Description

Lehnen, S. E., Sternberg, M. A., Swarts, H. M., & Sesnie, S. E. 2021. Evaluating population connectivity and targeting conservation action for an endangered cat. Ecosphere, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3367. Abstract: Dispersal of animals among populations helps to increase genetic variability and population viability. The endangered ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) in south Texas persists in two small populations separated by 30 km and cutoff from populations in northeastern Mexico. Despite the relatively short distance separating the two south Texas populations, movement between them has been limited, leading researchers to believe landscape connectivity is poor in the region. We developed habitat suitability maps using remote sensing and GPS-collared ocelots and ran connectivity analyses to assess current habitat linkages, important areas for conservation, and areas where connectivity could be improved through habitat restoration. First, we developed a resource selection function using random forest models and GPS data from ten ocelots collared at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge combined with spatial layers derived from LiDAR and remotely sensed imagery. We then used these results as the basis for a cost surface layer. Using this layer, we examined habitat connectivity using least-cost and circuit theory methods. We evaluated linkages by cost of movement, identified areas important for maintaining existing connectivity, and ranked areas where restoration would have the greatest benefit to connectivity. We found that core habitats within the two populations were relatively well connected but connectivity between the two populations was poor. By identifying areas currently important for connectivity and areas with the greatest benefit to ocelots if restored, these results will help inform land acquisition and restoration planning to improve ocelot conservation in south Texas. DOI for these data layers: https://doi.org/10.7944/P92D26LI

Resources

Name Format Description Link
48 Pinch points for movement of ocelots in south Texas https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/DownloadFile/197063?Reference=131472
48 Canopy cover 1 m resolution, Wilacy and Cameron counties, TX https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/DownloadFile/197053?Reference=131472
48 Canopy cover 10 m resolution, Wilacy and Cameron counties, TX https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/DownloadFile/197054?Reference=131472
48 Cost of movement for ocelots in south Texas https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/DownloadFile/197062?Reference=131472
48 Restoration value to ocelots of habitat improvements in south Texas https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/DownloadFile/197064?Reference=131472
55 DataCite xml file for DOI Metadata. https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/DownloadFile/251533?Reference=131472
0 DataCite JSON-LD file for DOI Metadata https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/DownloadFile/251534?Reference=131472
48 Shrub canopy layer 1 m resolution, Wilacy and Cameron Counties, TX https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/DownloadFile/197058?Reference=131472
48 Habitat suitability layer for ocelots in south Texas https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/DownloadFile/197061?Reference=131472
48 Shrub canopy layer 10 m resolution, for Wilacy and Cameron Counties, TX https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/DownloadFile/197059?Reference=131472
0 DataCite JSON-LD file for DOI Metadata https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/251534?Reference=131472
48 Shrub canopy layer 10 m resolution, for Wilacy and Cameron Counties, TX https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/197059?Reference=131472
48 Restoration value to ocelots of habitat improvements in south Texas https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/197064?Reference=131472
48 Canopy cover 1 m resolution, Wilacy and Cameron counties, TX https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/197053?Reference=131472
48 Shrub canopy layer 1 m resolution, Wilacy and Cameron Counties, TX https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/197058?Reference=131472
48 Habitat suitability layer for ocelots in south Texas https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/197061?Reference=131472
48 Cost of movement for ocelots in south Texas https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/197062?Reference=131472
48 Pinch points for movement of ocelots in south Texas https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/197063?Reference=131472
48 Canopy cover 10 m resolution, Wilacy and Cameron counties, TX https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/197054?Reference=131472
55 DataCite xml file for DOI Metadata. https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/251533?Reference=131472

Tags

  • tamaulipan-thornscrub
  • leopardus-pardalis
  • least-cost-path
  • general-biology-at-risk-biota-te-species
  • animal-movement
  • general-biology-communities-and-ecosystems-shrubland
  • dispersal
  • corridor
  • circuit-theory
  • ocelot

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