Buffalo on the Edge: Factors Affecting Historical Distribution and Restoration of Bison bison in the Western Cordillera, North America

The historic western edge of the bison (Bison bison) range and ecological processes that caused its formation are frequently debated with important implications for restoration across North America. We test hypothesis a combination bottom-up habitat suitability top-down harvest pressure from Indigenous peoples were in forming distribution. Using 9384 historical journal observations 1691–1928, we employ MaxEnt niche modelling to identify suitable Western Cordillera climatic, land cover, topographic factors. then use mixed-effect logistic regression if occurrence records can be part explained by abundance humans, wolves, or grizzly bears, addition MaxEnt-derived suitability. find support our because limited Rocky Mountains likely prevented westward dispersal their core habitat, there was negative relationship between human pressure. On this basis, propose intensive large populations Cordillera, subsidized other wildlife, salmon, vegetation resources, is an underappreciated socioecological process needs restored alongside populations. Co-managing will also mitigate adverse effects overabundant maximize cultural benefits restoration.