IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| Nova Scotia Lynx Recovery Team, | |
| Recovery plan for the Canada Lynx (_Lynx canadensis_) in Nova Scotia | |
| 2007 Full Book | |
The Canada lynx (_Lynx canadensis_) in Nova Scotia was designated endangered in 2002 under the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act. A breeding population of lynx exists only on Cape Breton Island. Lynx on the mainland of Nova Scotia were extirpated by the beginning of the twentieth century. Lynx numbers fluctuate depending on cyclical highs and lows of its primary prey, the snowshoe hare (_Lepus americanus_), which comprises most of its diet. At a regional scale, the distribution of lynx is correlated with prolonged deep snow and the amount of coniferous forest. Lynx forage in habitats that are suitable for hare (habitat with hardwood browse and softwood cover); and^ maternal dens are typically situated in habitat that includes coarse woody debris. During high points in population cycles lynx disperse from Cape Breton Island through a variety of open, fragmented, and human-dominated habitats that increases their vulnerability to mortality. Although lynx are among the most studied of North American carnivores, there remain many uncertainties about ecology and conservation in Nova Scotia. Lynx populations across most of the boreal forests of North America are healthy and support sustainable human harvests for fur. At southern edges of the range in North America, lynx are at risk and legal harvesting is not allowed. Threats to the Cape Breton lynx population may include competition with bobcat, and competition with and predation by fisher, and coyote that have recently arrived on the Island. Although bobcat, coyote, and fisher are not as well adapted as lynx for deep snow conditions, they may have competitive advantages in human-altered landscapes where road access is increased and where climate change affects winter snow. Vehicular accidents and by-catch in traps set by fur harvesters for other furbearers are causes of accidental mortality of lynx in Nova Scotia. The numbers of accidental lynx mortalities fluctuate from year to year; numbers tend to follow lynx population cycles and may be related to lynx movement associated with prey population crashes. The impact of accidental mortality on the Cape Breton lynx population requires further investigation. The harvest, traffic, and marketing of fur is closely monitored and regulated across Canada but the level of illegal harvest by hunters and trappers, and its impacts on the lynx population on Cape Breton Island are unknown. The Cape Breton population is small (density and area of occupancy estimates suggest 50-500 animals depending on the stage of the population cycle) and may become genetically isolated if animals cannot emigrate from the continental population. Preliminary results from a study on the molecular genetics of Cape Breton lynx suggested that such isolation has not yet occurred. Changes to the forested landscape and access brought about by forest management and road development may also threaten lynx recovery. Lynx habitat models remain under development, and in future may help identify necessary recovery actions regarding landscape connectivity, forest age class structure, access by people and natural competitors, refugia from trapping, and forest management. The habitat requirements for lynx in Nova Scotia are not well defined and therefore habitat deficiencies, if they exist, are as yet unknown. The feasibility of lynx recovery is uncertain given the paucity of available local data applicable to the Cape Breton population. Notwithstanding these deficiencies, this plan describes a broad strategy for recovery, research, education, stewardship, and management activities required to meet three recovery objectives: (1) minimize humancaused mortality, (2) manage habitat for lynx, and (3) maintain and restore functional connectivity for lynx populations in Cape Breton and New Brunswick. Fur harvesters and governments must work together to minimize accidental mortality of lynx. Governments must consider whether additional regulations or refugia for lynx are required with restrictions that would limit activities such as hunting, trapping, development, forestry, and off-highway vehicle use. Governments and industry must also ensure landscape management and stand-scale best forestry practices are implemented that allow long-term persistence of species at risk including lynx. Researchers must develop reliable and effective monitoring and management tools for lynx recovery, they must examine the genetic structure and health of the metapopulation, and they must determine habitat requirements for lynx throughout Nova Scotia. |
|
 |
PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here |
(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |