Using a GIS for simulation, modeling, and analysis of bobcat (Lynx rufus) habitat utilization on Kiawah Island, South Carolina
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Date
2014-08-19
Authors
Sataloff, Gabriel Lee
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Abstract
Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are medium sized predators common throughout the continental US. Like many mammalian predators, bobcats have been subject to habitat fragmentation induced by human development. While the effects of fragmentation on bobcat behavior have been studied, few studies have focused on bobcats living within a suburban zone. Kiawah Island is a residential/resort barrier island in the lowcountry of South Carolina that is home to a healthy population of bobcats. In March of 2007, 5 bobcats (3 males, 2 females) were fitted with GPS collars. The bobcat's GPS locations were overlaid with land cover information, and a chi-square statistic was used to determine if particular habitats were selected over others during day and night time periods. Forested and scrub/shrub areas were always selected, and marsh areas were always avoided. Developed zones were avoided during the day, but selected at night. The habitat selection data was used to create a simulated dataset for the entire island, and a kernel density was applied to illustrate probability of occurrence. Bobcats were predicted most likely to occur in the eastern end of the island, and in the scrub/shrub areas behind a primary dune ridge. An additional additive model was applied to identify vacant parcels most conducive to conservation of bobcat habitat based on the size and distance of the parcel to preferential habitats. The ranked parcels were overlaid with the percent cover or preferential habitat to identify the parcels that could provide the most benefit for conservation.
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Bobcat -- Behavior; Geographic information systems; Kiawah Island (S.C.)