The purpose of this study is to provide the data needed regarding which lands in north San Diego County are likely utilized by mountain lions, and to assess connectivity within and between current and proposed future conserved lands in MSP Management Units (MU) 5, 6 and 8 and conserved and unconserved mountain lion habitat in adjacent Riverside, and Orange Counties. The results from this study of mountain lion movement, habitat use, gene flow, and highway crossings will be available to inform critical decisions regarding the prioritization of lands for conservation and the potential need and location of highway modifications to enhance connectivity for mountain lions and other wildlife. For this study, the UCD-WHC team will be conducting genetic analyses, resource selection and movement modeling, analysis of potential crossing points of highways.
Name: Mountain Lion Connectivity 2017
Description: Methods include: trapping and GPS collaring mountain lions, DNA analysis, movement modeling, and defining mountain lion movement
County: Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego
Project type: Monitoring
Target species: Mountain lion
Investigator: Winston Vickers
Main implementing entity: University of California, Davis
Point of contact: Winston Vickers
SDMMP lead: Emily Perkins
Study lead: Winston Vickers
MSP Objectives and actions:PUMCON-1; PUMCON-2
Budget year: FY15-16; Work plan objectives number: 3.1