Functional connectivity along the southern periphery of the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) range in Ontario, Canada

Peripheral populations are generally small and isolated compared to populations in the range core, in part, due to the patchy distribution of suitable habitats. As a result, peripheral populations are more susceptible to extinction. The persistence of peripheral populations is facilitated if they are functionally connected to the core. Peripheral populations of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) have declined throughout their range and are thought to depend on dispersal, and thus, functional connectivity with the range core. I modeled lynx occurrence along their southern range periphery in relation to landscape characteristics, and found that young coniferous forests had the highest probability of lynx occurrence. I developed a resistance surface from this model and used circuit theory to predict functional connectivity along the southern periphery of the lynx range. Using an independent data set, I found that lynx paths occurred in landscapes predicted to have higher connectivity than random paths. I employed this model to explore functional connections from the range core to peripheral populations of lynx in central Ontario, Canada. Peripheral landscapes appeared well connected to the range core based on habitat relationships modeled from lynx occurrence. This is to my knowledge the first study-to parameterize a resistance surface from an empirical occurrence model and then predict animal movement trajectories with circuit theory. This research has implications for land management and the conservation of peripheral or isolated populations.;Key words: landscape resistance, range periphery, Canada lynx, Lynx canadensis, circuit theory, occupancy, functional connectivity, habitat.