Spatial Ecology of Bobcats in the Greater Everglades Active
WARC researchers will estimate the density and distribution of bobcats in relation to environmental variables through the development of spatially explicit capture-recapture and occupancy models.
The Science Issue and Relevance: Bobcats (Lynx rufus) play an important role in ecosystem function in the United States through their role as a top predator. Bobcat populations are reported to be expanding across the U.S. except in the State of Florida, where bobcat population declines have been attributed to anthropogenic habitat modification. In Everglades National Park specifically, bobcat populations have declined by almost 90% after the invasion of the Burmese python. However, relatively little is known about the spatial ecology of bobcats in the Greater Everglades. This knowledge gap is of particular concern to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), who need to understand the responses of terrestrial wildlife, like bobcats, to water management in the Greater Everglades.
Methodology for Addressing the Issue: We will estimate the density and distribution of bobcats in Water Conservation Area 3 in relation to environmental variables (e.g., vegetation, water depth). Spatially explicit capture-recapture and occupancy models will be developed using photographs collected from camera traps set by FWC. These statistical modeling techniques will be used to relate spatial and temporal variation in bobcat abundance to water level fluctuations and habitat variables.
Future Steps: We will develop parameterized models of bobcat density and its spatial and temporal variation in response to environmental variables. FWC is particularly interested in the results of this study to help guide management decisions during high water events in the Greater Everglades.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Joint Ecosystem Modeling: Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Helper
Joint Ecosystem Modeling: Wader Distribution & Evaluation Modeling (WADEM)
Joint Ecosystem Modeling: Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Marl Prairie Indicator
Joint Ecosystem Modeling: EverSnail
Joint Ecosystem Modeling: Alligator Production Probability Model
Wildlife Indicators of Greater Everglades Restoration Progress, Climate Change, and Shifts in Ecosystem Service
Joint Ecosystem Modeling: Greater Everglades Modeling Decision Support Tools
Advanced Technological Solutions in Support of Greater Everglades Priority Ecosystem Science: Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM)
- Overview
WARC researchers will estimate the density and distribution of bobcats in relation to environmental variables through the development of spatially explicit capture-recapture and occupancy models.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media DetailsBobcat (Lynx rufus) (Public domain.) The Science Issue and Relevance: Bobcats (Lynx rufus) play an important role in ecosystem function in the United States through their role as a top predator. Bobcat populations are reported to be expanding across the U.S. except in the State of Florida, where bobcat population declines have been attributed to anthropogenic habitat modification. In Everglades National Park specifically, bobcat populations have declined by almost 90% after the invasion of the Burmese python. However, relatively little is known about the spatial ecology of bobcats in the Greater Everglades. This knowledge gap is of particular concern to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), who need to understand the responses of terrestrial wildlife, like bobcats, to water management in the Greater Everglades.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media DetailsThe density and distribution of bobcats will be estimated for Water Conservation Area 3 (Public domain.) Methodology for Addressing the Issue: We will estimate the density and distribution of bobcats in Water Conservation Area 3 in relation to environmental variables (e.g., vegetation, water depth). Spatially explicit capture-recapture and occupancy models will be developed using photographs collected from camera traps set by FWC. These statistical modeling techniques will be used to relate spatial and temporal variation in bobcat abundance to water level fluctuations and habitat variables.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media DetailsMotion-triggered camera traps set by FWC will collect photographs of bobcats to develop models (Public domain.) Future Steps: We will develop parameterized models of bobcat density and its spatial and temporal variation in response to environmental variables. FWC is particularly interested in the results of this study to help guide management decisions during high water events in the Greater Everglades.
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Joint Ecosystem Modeling: Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Helper
The Sparrow Helper tool allows for the evaluation of water management scenarios by generating, plotting, and mapping hydrologic metrics across a range of time scales to predict impacts of proposed water depth changes to sparrow subpopulations.Joint Ecosystem Modeling: Wader Distribution & Evaluation Modeling (WADEM)
WADEM (Wader Distribution Evaluation Modeling) is a JEM model that estimates species-specific habitat suitability across the landscape for Great Egret ( Ardea alba ), White Ibis ( Eudocimus albus ), and Wood Stork ( Mycteria americana ).Joint Ecosystem Modeling: Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Marl Prairie Indicator
Marl prairie is the most diverse freshwater vegetation community in the Greater Everglades and provides the only suitable habitat for the federally endangered Cape Sable seaside sparrow (CSSS; Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis ).Joint Ecosystem Modeling: EverSnail
EverSnail, developed in collaboration with the University of West Florida, is an age- and size-structured spatially-explicit landscape model of native apple snails ( Pomacea paludosa ).Joint Ecosystem Modeling: Alligator Production Probability Model
Because the American alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis ) is a keystone species of the Everglades ecosystem, managers need a way to quantitatively assess the effects of alternative restoration scenarios on alligators.Wildlife Indicators of Greater Everglades Restoration Progress, Climate Change, and Shifts in Ecosystem Service
As Greater Everglades restoration project implementation progresses, wetlands in near coastal areas may undergo changes in salinity, hydroperiod, and water depth.Joint Ecosystem Modeling: Greater Everglades Modeling Decision Support Tools
The Joint Ecosystem Modeling team is developing and applying ecological models and other decision support tools for Greater Everglades restoration project planning.Advanced Technological Solutions in Support of Greater Everglades Priority Ecosystem Science: Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM)
The JEM Biological Database offers secure data storage in relational databases, as well as web applications to manage, search, analyze, and report on captured data.