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LaRue, M.A.; Nielsen, C.K.
Modelling potential habitat for cougars in midwestern North America
2011 Ecological Modelling (222): 897-900
Cougars (_Puma concolor_) are of considerable interest to wildlife biologists and the general public in midwesternNorth America, yet no researchers have modelled potential habitat in the region. We createda model of potential cougar habitat in 9 midwestern states using geospatial data, expert-opinion surveys,the analytical hierarchy process, and a GIS. About 8% of the study region contained highly favorablehabitat (with favorability scores =75%) for cougars; the states of Arkansas (19%) and Missouri (16%)contained the highest proportions of potentially favorable habitat. We identified 6 large (=2500km2 insize), contiguous areas of highly favorable habitat for cougars. Model testing procedures indicated a validmodel when compared to an independent set of cougar locations, a null dataset, and similar studies. Ourmodel is useful as a planning tool to proactively address future human-cougar conflicts should cougarsre-colonize the Midwest via subadult dispersal.
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