Comparison Of Wildlife Habitat Suitability Models Using The California Wildlife Habitat Relationship System

Presents a spatial version of the Wildlife Habitat Relationships (WHR) system using satellite data, which are classified as part of the Klamath Province Mapping Pilot Project. This project compares a spatial version with summer home range polygons derived from a migratory mule deer telemetry study.

Decades of studies on wildlife-habitat relationships have provided important insights into the habitat requisites for many game and nongame species. Information gained from these studies has been used to develop wildlife habitat models (e.g., habitat suitability index [HSI] models; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv. 1980, 1981), the application of which enables assessment of current habitat conditions and predictions of how habitat suitability may change under management (e.g., habitat evaluation procedures; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv. 1980, 1981). Radio-telemetry (Rodgers 2001) and computing (e.g., geographic information systems; GIS) technology have enhanced our understanding of wildlifehabitat relationships, especially with regard to wildlife spatial ecology.

Wildlife-Habitat Relationships goes beyond introductory wildlife biology texts to provide wildlife professionals and students with an understanding of the importance of habitat relationships in studying and managing wildlife. The book offers a unique synthesis and critical evaluation of data, methods, and studies, along with specific guidance on how to conduct rigorous studies. Now in its third edition, Wildlife-Habitat Relationships combines basic field zoology and natural history, evolutionary biology, ecological theory, and quantitative tools in explaining ecological processes and their influence on wildlife and habitats. Also included is a glossary of terms that every wildlife professional should know.

Ultimately, the success of conservation efforts depends on gathering analyzing, and interpreting reliable information on species composition communities, and habitats. In recent years, however, the availability of technology for assessing wildlife data has outstripped training in how best to use that technology. To aid the student and the professional this book explains fundamental concepts of both wildlife habitat theory and statistical modeling and analysis. It is the first major effort to bring together the theoretical framework and the practical applications of research on wild animals and their habitats. Taking a critical approach, the authors examine the rationale behind the most common methods of habitat analysis and provide a thorough, evaluative review of past and current literature. They begin with a look at the historical and legislative circumstances that gave rise to research on wildlife-habitat relationships. Subsequent chapters examine habitat in an ecological and evolutionary perspective, habitat fragmentation, ways in which habitat can be measured and the data then analyzed, and how the foraging behavior of animals fits into analysis of habitat relationships. The closing chapters discuss predictive models and multivariate analysis. Throughout the book, the authors suggest directions for future research on wildlife habitat. Wildlife-Habitat Relationships goes beyond introductory wildlife biology textbooks and specialized studies of single species to provide a broad but sophisticated understanding of habitat relationships applicable to all species. Designed as a text for advanced students in zoology, ecology, wildlife biology, and other natural resource fields, thisvolume provides explanations of ecological theory that will be useful as well for the practicing wildlife manager. The extensive literature review is a base of information valuable to all researchers.