Habitat Fragmentation and Interspecific Competition: Implications for Lynx Conservation

Habitat fragmentation and interspecific competition are two important forces that potentially affect lynx populations. Fragmentation operates by various mechanisms, including direct habitat loss, vehicle collisions and behavioral disturbance from roads, and changes in landscape features such as edges. Competition takes two forms: Exploitation competition involves potential competitors, such as coyotes and raptors, for food with lynx. Interference competition involves aggressive acts, almost always by a larger animal, that can include attacking and killing. Habitat fragmentation tends to facilitate competition by generalist predators, of which the most likely beneficiary is the coyote. Other potential interference competitors with lynx include cougars and bobcats. Of these three carnivores, all are more widespread and more abundant within the southern distribution of the lynx than 50 years ago.