Integrating animal tracking datasets at a continental scale for mapping Eurasian lynx habitat

• DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13784
• Publication Date: 2023-10-17T06:21:03Z
• Authors: Julian Oeser; Marco Heurich; Stephanie Kramer‐...; Jenny Mattisson; Miha Krofel; Jarmila Krojerová...; Fridolin Zimmermann; Ole Anders; Henrik Andrén; Guna Bagrade; Elisa Belotti; Christine Breiten...; Luděk Bufka; Rok Černe; Nolwenn Drouet‐Ho...; Martin Duľa; Christian Fuxjäger; Tomislav Gomerčić; Włodzimierz Jędrz...; Raido Kont; Petr Koubek; Rafał Kowalczyk; Josip Kusak; Jakub Kubala; Miroslav Kutal; John D. C. Linnell; Anja Molinari‐Jobin; Peep Männil; Tomma Lilli Midde...; John Odden; Henryk Okarma; Teresa Oliveira; Nives Pagon; Jens Persson; Jaanus Remm; Krzysztof Schmidt; Sven Signer; Branislav Tám; Kristina Vogt; Tobias Kuemmerle
• Keywords: Carnivore; Wildlife corridor

Abstract Aim The increasing availability of animal tracking datasets collected across many sites provides new opportunities to move beyond local assessments enable detailed and consistent habitat mapping at biogeographical scales. However, integrating wildlife large areas study is challenging, as species' varying responses different environmental contexts must be reconciled. Here, we compare approaches for large‐area assess available a recolonizing carnivore, the Eurasian lynx ( Lynx ). Location Europe. Methods We use continental‐scale database (450 individuals from 14 sites) systematically modelling approaches, comparing (1) global strategies that pool all data training versus building local, site‐specific models combining them, (2) incorporating regional variation in selection (3) algorithms, testing nonlinear mixed effects well machine‐learning algorithms. Results Testing on simulating model transfers, achieved overall similar predictive performance. Model performance was highest using flexible algorithms when function variation. Our best‐performing used weighted combination models. maps identified suitable, but currently unoccupied habitat, with most suitable located regions could foster connectivity between isolated populations. Main Conclusions demonstrate can achieve robust continental scale considering improves broad‐scale mapping. More generally, highlight promise databases provide first high‐resolution, yet assessment Europe, providing basis conservation planning restoring species within its former range.