IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Cramer, P.C. | |
| Modeling Florida panther movements to predict conservation strategies in North Florida | |
| 1999 Full Book | |
The Florida panther (_Puma concolor coryi_) is one of the most endangered mammals in North America. Reintroducing the panther to portions of its former range has been deemed critical to the species' future existence. The north Florida-south Georgia region is a prime candidate site for such reintroductions. Modeling the movements of Florida panthers is used as a tool to identify specific regional landscape features and conservation strategies that would be most critical to panthers, other species, and the ecosystems upon which they depend. The spatially explicit model PANTHER was created based on results from a state sponsored reintroduction feasibility study and ongoing studies of south Florida panthers. It mimics panther behavior and movement over Geographic Information Systems (GIS) maps representing natural communities, roads, deer densities, human densities, and human attitudes. Potential future effects of human development were also modeled, based on data derived from county and regional comprehensive plans, population projections, and development patterns. The model was validated by comparing output estimates with those from previous Florida panther studies. The model identified high probability use locations within the 7,000 square kilometer study area. The majority of these locations are also places of high development pressure, especially along the Suwannee River. Model output indicates panthers used private property approximately 67 percent of all moves. Model outputs were compared with data from a public education program conducted earlier in the research process. Over 70 percent of panther moves were in Hamilton and north Columbia Counties, areas of lowest public support for panther reintroductions. Landscape connections for panthers and specific areas of high panther use along Interstates I-75 and I-10 were also identified. These and other model results support conservation approaches that include a continued commitment to regional and county planning in environmentally sensitive areas, possible public purchase of environmentally sensitive lands, and financial incentives to owners of private properties deemed critical to panthers. Model results support targeting landowners and residents of Hamilton and Columbia counties for future education programs and inclusion in conservation processes. |
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