Cats, cars, and crossings: The consequences of road networks for the conservation of an endangered felid

Blackburn, AnnMarie; Heffelfinger, Levi J.; Veals, Amanda M.; Tewes, Michael E.; Young, John H.

doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01582

Cited by 11 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…These patterns in habitat relationships could have been a function of where animals were trapped in combination with a saturation of territories, where territorial interactions affected behavioral patterns. This, however, is unlikely given ocelots are relatively rare in the United States (Janec ˇka et al, 2016;Tewes, 2019) as well as the continued loss of habitat and high mortality rates from vehicle collisions since the 1980s (Blackburn et al, 2021;Haines et al, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiscale habitat relationships of a habitat specialist over time: The case of ocelots in Texas from 1982 to 2017

et al. 2022

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Evaluating temporal trends in habitat and behavioral responses is critical for conservation, yet long‐term monitoring studies are rare. We used a 35‐year dataset (1982–2017) to assess multiscale habitat use and selection by an endangered carnivore, the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), in South Texas, USA. We used a time series of remotely sensed imagery to map changes in availability of woody cover, habitat critical to ocelots that has diminished due to anthropogenic development and increased road infrastructure. Our objectives were to characterize habitat relationships, predict high‐quality habitat, and assess behavior with changing environmental conditions. We fit functional response (third order) and individual‐specific resource selection (second order) functions to assess multiscale habitat use of vegetation cover and roads. Within home ranges, ocelots used woody cover greater than availability. Ocelots used areas near roads in proportion to availability, with minor exceptions. We observed changes in habitat use by ocelots across time with higher proportions of woody and non‐woody cover used in later time periods. Average availability of woody cover decreased in the study area between the 1980s and 2010s (0.44 in 1985 to 0.39 in 2015, p < 0.001), and ocelots used areas with a higher proportion of woody cover (≥0.48) farther from high‐traffic roads compared to availability. High‐quality ocelot habitat was consistently predicted in areas with high proportions of woody cover, while areas closer to high‐traffic roads were consistently predicted as non‐habitat. The extent of predicted habitat never exceeded 47% (1515 km2) of the study area, illustrating the confined nature of ocelot habitat. Our assessment of multiscale habitat use demonstrated that higher order selection processes likely truncate resource gradients within home ranges. Ocelots did not avoid roads as expected within home ranges, which is a likely mechanism for vehicle‐induced mortality. Private lands contained ≥79% of predicted high‐quality habitat over time. Therefore, the future of ocelots in the United States relies on private land stewardship. Insights gained from these analyses can advance habitat conservation and mitigation of road mortality for ocelot populations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiscale habitat relationships of a habitat specialist over time: The case of ocelots in Texas from 1982 to 2017

et al. 2022

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“…These results can be used to develop initial planning steps to identify suitable areas for ocelot habitat. However, they will need to be complemented with incorporation of other finer scale variables that may also influence ocelot distribution such as shrub height and density [68], road density [69], prey availability [59], and climatic variables [10].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Landscape Structure of Woody Cover Patches for Endangered Ocelots in Southern Texas

et al. 2021

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Few ecological studies have explored landscape suitability using the gradient concept of landscape structure for wildlife species. Identification of conditions influencing the landscape ecology of endangered species allows for development of more robust recovery strategies. Our objectives were to (i) identify the range of landscape metrics (i.e., mean patch area; patch and edge densities; percent land cover; shape, aggregation, and largest patch indices) associated with woody vegetation used by ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), and (ii) quantify the potential distribution of suitable woody cover for ocelots across southern Texas. We used the gradient concept of landscape structure and the theory of slack combined with GPS telemetry data from 10 ocelots. Spatial distribution of high suitable woody cover is comprised of large patches, with low shape-index values (1.07–2.25), patch (27.21–72.50 patches/100 ha), and edge (0–191.50 m/ha) densities. High suitability landscape structure for ocelots occurs in 45.27% of woody cover in southern Texas. Our study demonstrates a new approach for measuring landscape suitability for ocelots in southern Texas. The range of landscape values identified that there are more large woody patches containing the spatial structure used by ocelots than previously suspected, which will aid in evaluating recovery and road planning efforts.

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“…Results from this study suggest that planned future crossing structures are more likely to be used based on surrounding habitat features and proximity to previous ocelot roadkills. Previous studies have analyzed ocelot movements in relation to roads [ 29 , Lombardi et al in review ], how roads influence ocelot survival rates [ 25 ], and ocelot habitat selection in relation to roads [ 50 ]. These studies have highlighted how road-related factors can influence ocelot movement throughout an urbanized landscape and where ocelots cross roads, successfully and unsuccessfully.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These studies have highlighted how road-related factors can influence ocelot movement throughout an urbanized landscape and where ocelots cross roads, successfully and unsuccessfully. Blackburn et al [ 25 ] suggested that future mitigation efforts should be focused on lower traffic volume roads rather than high traffic volume roads. Lombardi et al [ in review ] found that ocelots that were observed to be killed by vehicles had crossed paved roads twice as often as ocelots that were not killed by vehicles.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With the expansion of human population centers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, ocelots face greater pressure to survive in an increasingly fragmented landscape [ 23 ]. Their fate is exacerbated by the development and expansion of road networks, as previous research suggests that vehicle collisions are one of the highest sources of mortality for ocelots in South Texas, representing about 40% of all mortalities [ 24 , 25 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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If you build it, will they come? A comparative landscape analysis of ocelot roadkill locations and crossing structures

et al. 2022

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Wildlife-vehicle collisions can have a substantial influence on the mortality rates of many wildlife populations. Crossing structures are designed to mitigate the impact of road mortality by allowing safe passage of wildlife above or below roads, and connect to suitable areas on both sides of the road. Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) are a federally endangered felid in the United States, with remnant populations of <80 individuals remaining in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. Vehicle collisions are the greatest known source of mortality for ocelots in Texas. Crossing structures designed for ocelot use have been implemented throughout South Texas since the 1990s, however, ocelots rarely use them. We compared landscape characteristics between ocelot crossing structures and ocelot-vehicle collision sites. We quantified the spatial distribution of woody and herbaceous cover types surrounding ocelot crossing structures (n = 56) and ocelot-vehicle collision sites (n = 26) at multiple spatial extents and compared landscape metrics between these location types. The landscape surrounding ocelot crossing structures had 17–22% more open herbaceous cover >1,050 m from the road, and 1.2–5.8 ha larger herbaceous patches >450 m from the road compared to ocelot-vehicle collision sites. Additionally, many crossing structures installed during the 1990’s are situated >100 km away from an extant ocelot population. Results from this study can guide conservation planners to place future road crossing structures in areas more likely to be used by ocelots. Our results also emphasize that reliable scientific data must be used for effective mitigation efforts. In the absence of data, post-installation assessments can improve the placement of future structures.

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Cats, cars, and crossings: The consequences of road networks for the conservation of an endangered felid

Cited by 11 publications

References 49 publications

Multiscale habitat relationships of a habitat specialist over time: The case of ocelots in Texas from 1982 to 2017

Multiscale habitat relationships of a habitat specialist over time: The case of ocelots in Texas from 1982 to 2017

Landscape Structure of Woody Cover Patches for Endangered Ocelots in Southern Texas

If you build it, will they come? A comparative landscape analysis of ocelot roadkill locations and crossing structures

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