Predicting the availability of understory structural features important for Canadian lynx denning habitat on managed lands in northeastern Washington lynx ranges

Abstract

Stands identified as potential Canadian lynx denning habitat by a habitat suitability model were sampled in northeastern Washington for stand structure and understory structural features identified as important for denning lynx. Potential den structures were quantified by use of strip transects, and stand structure was quantified through an enhanced forest inventory approach focused on assessing understory and downed wood conditions. Information theoretic model selection methods indicated that the best model to predict potential denning understory structure availability included downed wood abundance, total basal area, and average stand diameter. The strong predictive ability of our models suggest that understory features important to denning lynx can be predicted using traditional inventory data with the addition of a downed wood line intercept methodology. In general, our study supports the suggestion that assessing downed wood availability will effectively address concerns over quantifying the availability of understory structural features identified as being importantat lynx den sites. Copyright © 2005 by the Society of American Foresters.