HABITAT SELECTION BY LYNX IN THE NORTHWEST-TERRITORIES

An understanding of habitat selection by lynx (Lynx canadensis) in the northern boreal forest is needed to evaluate the potential impacts of habitat modification (wildfire and limber harvesting) on lynx populat ions. We quantified habitat selection by lynx in a 290-km(2) study are a in the western Northwest Territories from 1989 to 1993 by radio-coll aring 27 adult lynx (12 females and 15 males). An 8-class habitat map, produced using Landsat thematic mapper data, was used to assess habit at selection. Lynx used habitats disproportionately to their availabil ity (P < 0.001), both at the landscape level and within home ranges. D ense coniferous and dense deciduous forests had higher selection indic es than other habitat classes, and wetland - lake bed complexes and op en black spruce (Picea mariana) forests had lower selection indices. H abitat selection did not differ between the sexes or among years (P gr eater than or equal to 0.4). Habitat alteration by wildfire in the nor thern boreal forest could significantly affect populations of the lynx and its primary prey, the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), particula rly by maintaining or increasing the availability of dense forest and other preferred habitats.