Home range, habitat selection, and movements of lynx (Lynx canadensis) in eastern interior Alaska

Abstract

Lynx home ranges, habitat selection, and daily track deposition rates were determined in interior Alaska. Male home ranges averaged 167 km2 in 1991-92 and 127 km2 in 1992-93, but varied (14-270 km2); females averaged 33 km2 in 1991-92 and 48 km2 in 1992-93. Nomadic lynx displayed erratic movements and large ranges, whereas others dispersed from the study area. Lynx with small home ranges may use snowshoe hare refugia whereas other lynx may range over expanded areas to acquire food. Lynx preferred broadleaf and mixed forests and avoided dwarf shrub/tundra. Lynx used a 1959 burn more than expected; more recent burns (<11 years) were used less than expected. Track deposition was significantly related to snowfall, temperature and barometric pressure change (P< 0.001), the overall model, however, explained only 16% of the variation in deposition (R2 = 0.162). Temperature was most related to track deposition; as temperature increased, track deposition became more variable.