Time-varying predatory behavior is primary predictor of fine-scale movement of wildland-urban cougars

• DOI: 10.1186/s40462-018-0140-6
• Publication Date: 2018-10-29T04:47:13Z
• Authors: Frances E. Buderman; Mevin B Hooten; Mathew W Alldredge; Ephraim M Hanks; Jacob S Ivan
• Keywords: Animal ecology; Home range; Landscape connectivity

While many species have suffered from the detrimental impacts of increasing human population growth, some species, such as cougars (Puma concolor), been observed using human-modified landscapes. However, habitat can be a source both increased risk and food availability, particularly for large carnivores. Assessing preferential use landscape is important managing wildlife useful in transitional habitats, at wildland-urban interface. Preferential often evaluated resource selection functions (RSFs), which are focused on quantifying preference either temporally static framework or researcher-defined temporal delineations. Many applications RSFs do not incorporate time-varying availability temporally-varying behavior, may mask conflict avoidance behavior.Contemporary approaches to into assessment include spatio-temporal point process models, step functions, continuous-time Markov chain (CTMC) models; contrast with other methods, CTMC model allows explicit inference animal movement continuous-time. We used hierarchical version speed directionality fine-scale by inhabiting Front Range Colorado, U.S.A., an area exhibiting rapid growth recreational use, function individual variation responses covariates.We found evidence individual- daily temporal-variability cougar response characteristics. Distance nearest kill site emerged most driver population-level. also detected seasonal differences average elevation, heat loading, distance roads. Motility was amount development, moving faster developed areas than undeveloped areas.The allowed us detect variability that would masked generalized linear model, improved within-sample predictive ability model. The high degree suggests that, if agencies want minimize human-wildlife management options should varied flexible. due effect recursive behavior movement, likely related location timing potential kill-sites, kill-site identification tools identifying conflict.