Paper: Genetic Connectivity of Wolverines
Photo: Steven Gnam
Monitoring wolverines in the wild is hard work, so I’m pleased that the field data I’ve helped to collect in the Cascades has contributed to an ambitious new scientific publication, “Genetic Connectivity of Wolverines in Western North America.” I’m one of many co-authors, and I appreciate the efforts of the lead authors who brought this paper to fruition. Below is an excerpt and a few key findings.
A major management goal is to maintain connectivity among wolverine populations across large spatial extents to preserve genetic diversity and buffer against local extirpation. An understanding of how landscape configuration and composition affects wolverine genetic connectivity can ultimately inform land-use planning efforts. Here, we used the largest wolverine genetic dataset ever assembled in North America, including samples from over 800 individuals collected across ~ 2.2 million km2 (Fig. 1), to develop models of genetic connectivity that identify landscape characteristics that promote or impede gene flow across the study area.
Fig. 1. Study area. Extent of landscape connectivity analysis (green polygon) and locations of genetic samples (red points) for landscape genetics analysis of wolverines in North America.
Key Findings:
Forest cover and persistent snow facilitate gene flow via the dispersal of wolverines in western North America.
Site of a wolverine den in the North Cascades. Photo: Scott Fitkin, WDFW
Conversely, human disturbance, including busy roads, urban areas, recreation, and energy development, hinder genetic connectivity among wolverines.
Protecting large areas (and movement corridors) that maintain forest cover and minimize human development and recreational tourism may be important for promoting wolverine gene flow.
Because wolverines roam vast areas, transboundary conservation between western Canada and the western U.S. is critical to maintaining genetic connectivity.
You can read the paper in its entirety by clicking the button below.