Premium
Using Pellet Counts to Estimate Snowshoe Hare Numbers in Minnesota
Author(s) -
MCCANN NICHOLAS P.,
MOEN RON A.,
NIEMI GERALD J.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the journal of wildlife management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1937-2817
pISSN - 0022-541X
DOI - 10.2193/2007-083
Subject(s) - snowshoe hare , pellet , linear regression , range (aeronautics) , pellets , statistics , regression , zoology , environmental science , biology , geography , mathematics , habitat , ecology , engineering , paleontology , aerospace engineering
We calibrated snowshoe hare ( Lepus americanus ) numbers with pellet counts in Minnesota, USA, to understand the relationship between hare numbers and pellets in the central portion of the hare range. We found a strong and significant correlation between hare numbers and pellet counts using either linear or functional regression with either annual or semiannual pellet counts. Equations we developed using linear or functional regression predicted >1 hare/ha at similar pellet‐density thresholds. These equations can be used to efficiently identify habitats that support hare numbers necessary for Canada lynx ( Lynx canadensis ) persistence in Minnesota.