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LaRue, M.A.
Predicting potential habitat and dispersal corridors for cougars in midwestern north America
2007 Full Book
Since 1990, >130 confirmations (e.g., carcasses and photographs) of cougars (_Puma concolor_) have been recorded in midwestern North America. I created a model of potential cougar habitat in 9 midwestern states using geospatial data, expert-opinion surveys, and a GIS. Based on matrices of pair-wise comparisons involving habitat layers, 11 expert biologists were surveyed to rank habitat factors of importance to potential cougar habitat in the Midwest. I then used a GIS to analyze data and create a map of potential cougar habitat. I further determined potential dispersal corridors for cougars using least-cost path methods. About 8% of the study region contained highly suitable habitat (Ÿü 75% suitability) for cougars. I identified 6 large, contiguous areas of highly suitable habitat for cougars (Ÿü 2,500 km2 in size with Ÿü75% habitat suitability). The most likely least-cost path started in western Texas and branched to areas of suitable habitat in the Ouachita and Ozark National Forests.
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