Combining satellite data and resource selection functions for large scale habitat mapping of wildlife species - preliminary results for capercaillie and black grouse

The main aim of this study is to investigate the suitability of 1) combining map data derived from the Landsat satellite and other sources with statistical methods for analyzing habitat selection and making probability maps for large areas, and 2) testing a sampling design where volunteers arbitrarily select a walking route within specific areas for conducting transects surveys of wildlife. We selected capercaillie and black grouse as example species in this case study. The analysis uses resource selection functions (RSF) to identify the relationship between locations of birds and habitat variables derived as percent coverage within buffer areas. We also include one distance variable. Most of the variables are based upon classified products from analysis of multi-temporal (May, July, October) satellite images (Landsat7). In addition some variables are derived from a national topographic map and a land inventory map.