IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Riley, S.J. | |
| Integration of environmental, biological, and human dimensions for management of mountain lions _(Puma concolor)_ in Montana | |
| 1998 Full Book | |
Recent increases in mountain lion (_Puma concolor_) populations throughout western North America challenge wildlife managers who attempt to achieve a balance between the beneficial and detrimental aspects of a large carnivore in human dominated environments. A lack of understanding of the environmental, biological, and human dimensions that affect mountain lions and the interrelationships of these dimensions has been an impediment to effective lion management. I used a combination of ecological and social science methods to determine: (1) factors that influence the distribution and abundance of mountain lions; (2) vital rates that most affect lion population growth; and, (3) factors that determine stakeholder preferences for lion populations. Records of 4,057 mountain lion deaths from 1971-1994 were used to develop a total mortality index (TMI) as an indirect index of mountain lion abundance. A 2-factor model that included quantitative measures of lion habitat and white-tailed deer (_Odocoileus virginianus_) abundance was the most parsimonious model (r2 = 0.78) for prediction of TMI on a state-wide basis. Within specific ecoregions, there was a strong linear relationship (r2 = 0.89) between white-tailed deer abundance and TMI in the Montane Ecoregion west of the continental divide. A similar strong linear relationship (r2 = 0.74) existed between elk (_Cervus elaphus_) abundance and TMI in the Intermountain Ecoregion of southwest and central Montana. Sensitivity analyses of a stochastic population simulation model indicated adult survival was the most important vital rate in affecting the intrinsic rate of increase in lion populations. A mail questionnaire was used to determine factors that affect stakeholder preferences for mountain lion populations. A 3-factor model that included measures of respondent's perceptions about the direction of current mountain lion population trends, attitudes towards lions, and beliefs about risks to humans from lions, correctly predicted the desired trend of 73.8% of respondents who wanted a smaller lion population and 90.8% who wanted a larger population or no change. Recommendations to influence the environmental, biological, and human dimensions of mountain lions are presented within integrated management matrices. Implications of the temporal and spatial scales and the interrelationship of the 3 management dimensions are discussed. |
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