Prior to recent studies previously discussed (Maine Lynx Population) no minimum viable density population (MDP) had been acquired in the UScore areas (Northern Coloardo) that were suggested to house the upper limit of population in the US. Those core areas were nearly ten times lower than the MDP required in Maine.
Canadian Lynx
Peripheral areas, or non-core areas, are even worst and the problem with the previous conservation plan is they could not suggest a change in order to induce positive ecological impact. It all revolves around the evidence that if you stop deforestation you lose the lynx food source, the hares.
Proposed in 2007, new plans for a federal recovery plan suggest stopping deforestation, interbreeding northern with southern lynx to produce greater survival rates, and a start of reforestation to help currently with prey population. Much more studies are needed. There is room for suggestions and plans are in a reconstruction phrase.
Back to the Maine population of lynx, why is it the only residential population in US? Conservation biologist need to explore the inbreeding depression rate but due to lack of understanding of the interactive ecology more studies for both needs to be conducted as well as a massive exploration into the life history of the Canadian Lynx. No values for demographic and environmental stochasticity are currently available; both are truly important to understanding the extinction vortex for Canadian Lynx.
Lynx family photographed at the Nykiforuk farm near Dauphin, Manitoba (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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Written By: Richard Nelson
For: Evolutionary Biology Class at Michigan State & the Rest of the World.
Sources:
Campbell, V. & Strobeck, C. (2007). Fine-scale genetic structure and dispersal in Canada lynx. Canadian Journal of Zoology. 84(8)
Recovery Plan Outline (2005). Retrieved from U.S. Department of Wildlife website November 29th, 2010.
Vashon, J. et al. (2000) Spatial Ecology of a Canada Lynx Population in Northern Maine. The Journal of Wildlife Management 72(7).
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