Assessing potential gray wolf restoration in the northeastern United States : A spatial prediction of favorable habitat and potential population levels

摘要: The northeastern United States was previously identified under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) as a potential location for restoration of population endangered eastern timber wolf or gray (Canis lupus). has been protected ESA since 1974. We used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and logistic regression model based on regional road abundance to estimate that Northeastern states from Upstate New York Maine contain >77,000 km 2 habitat suitable wolves. Using current distribution available ungulate prey (deer moose), we area is capable sustaining approximately 1,312 wolves (90% CI = 816-1,809). This equivalent new, much higher potentials estimated northern Wisconsin Upper Michigan, where are rapidly recovering in Midwest. Potential densities vary low 53,500 ) supporting 1,070 702-1,439). Such large areas increasingly rare important recovery if populations enough have long-term evolutionary viability be maintained within States. However, large-scale top carnivore like other consequences overall forest biodiversity forests because dependent high levels prey, which turn negative effects ecosystem. In States, planning Northeast should take advantage experience elsewhere, especially upper