Kevin S. McKelvey, Ph.D.

Monitoring and Disturbance Ecology Team Leader
Wildlife Ecology Research Unit
Rocky Mountain Research Station
800 E. Beckwith Ave.
Missoula MT 59801
Phone: 406.542.4163
Fax: 406.543.2663
E-mail: kmckelvey [at] fs.fed.us

Education

B .A., University of Montana , Missoula MT , 1984
M.S., University of Montana , Missoula MT , 1986
Ph. D., University of Florida , Gainesville FL , 1990

Research interests

In recent years I have concentrated on developing methods to evaluate status and trends of organisms across broad spatial and temporal domains. For broad-scale evaluation of population description, status, and trends genetic monitoring techniques hold great promise. With L. Scott Mills (U of Montana) and Jim Claar (Region 1, USDA Forest Service) we implemented the National Lynx Survey (1999-2004), the largest carnivore survey ever attempted. This survey was also the first large survey of felids using genetic methods. Since then, our group has been developing methods to non-invasively survey fisher, marten, cougar, and Canada lynx. Because many population metrics are extremely sensitive to genotyping errors we have developed cost effective methods to remove errors from genetic samples.

Spatially referenced occurrence or abundance can be related to the landscape features; new statistical methods allow variance to be partitioned across multiple scales greatly improving our ability to evaluate habitat quality. If these occurrence data derived from on genetic samples, many additional analyses are possible. By relating pair-wise genetic differences to distance between samples (both Euclidian path-cost distances) we have developed methods to measure population connectivity across complex landscapes.

Recent publications

McKelvey, K.S., S.A. Cushman, and M.K. Schwartz. In press. Chapter 17. Landscape Genetics. In: Spatial Complexity, Informatics, and Wildlife Conservation. Springer.

Schwartz, M.K., G. Luikart, K.S. McKelvey, and S.A Cushman. In press. Chapter 9. Landscape Genomics: A Brief Perspective. In: Spatial Complexity, Informatics, and Wildlife Conservation. Springer.
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Cushman S.A., and K.S. McKelvey. In press. Chapter 6. Data on Distribution and Abundance: Monitoring for Research and Management. In: Spatial Complexity, Informatics, and Wildlife Conservation. Springer.
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Cushman, S.A., K.S. McKelvey, and M.K. Schwartz. 2009. Evaluating habitat connectivity and mapping of corridors between Yellowstone National Park and the Canadian Border with landscape genetics and least cost path analysis. Conservation Biology 23:368-376.

Schwartz, M.K., J. P. Copeland, N. J. Anderson, J.R. Squires, R.M. Inman, K.S. Mckelvey, K.L. Pilgrim, L.P. Waits, and S. A. Cushman. 2009. Wolverine gene flow across a narrow climatic niche. Ecology, Vol. 90, No. 11.
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McKelvey, K.S., S.A. Cushman, M.K. Schwartz, and L. F. Ruggiero. 2009. Wildlife sampling across multiple spatial scales using grid-based sampling. Pgs. 137-142 in: R. E. McRoberts, G. A. Reams, P. C. Van Deusen, and W. H. McWilliams editors. Eighth annual Forest Inventory and Analysis symposium. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report WO-79. 404 pgs.
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McKelvey KS, Aubry KB, and Schwartz MK. 2008. The use of anecdotal occurrence data for rare or elusive species: the illusion of reality and a call for evidentiary standards. Bioscience. Vol. 58 No. 6:549-555.
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Cushman, S.A., K.S. McKelvey, and M.K. Schwartz. 2008. Use of empirically derived source-destination models to map regional conservation corridors. Conservation Biology.
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Noon, B. R., K. S. McKelvey, and B. G. Dickson. 2008. Multispecies conservation planning on U. S. federal lands. Pgs. 51-83 in: J. J Millspaugh and F. R. Thompson (editors). Models for Planning Wildlife Conservation in Large Landscapes. Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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Kendall, K.C. and K.S. McKelvey. 2008. Chapter 6: Hair Collection. Pgs. 135-176 in: R.A. Long, P. MacKay, J.C. Ray, and W.J. Zielinski, Editors. Noninvasive Survey Methods for North American Carnivores. Island Press, Washington D.C.
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Schwartz, M.K. and K.S. McKelvey. 2008. Why sampling scheme matters: the effect of sampling scheme on landscape genetic results. Conservation Genetics 10:441–452.
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Cushman, S.A., K.S. McKelvey, and M.K. Schwartz. 2008. Case Study 6.1: DNA survey for fisher in Northern Idaho. Pgs. 173-174 in: R.A. Long, P. MacKay, J.C. Ray, and W.J. Zielinski, Editors. Noninvasive Survey Methods for North American Carnivores. Island Press, Washington D.C.
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Aubry KB, McKelvey KS, Copeland JP. 2007. Distribution and Broad-scale Habitat Relations of the Wolverine in the Contiguous United States. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:2147–2158.
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McDaniel GW, McKelvey KS. 2007. A Cost-Effective System for measuring microscale habitat use of small mammals with high precision. Wildlife Society Bulletin 34(5).
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Cushman, S.A., D. McKenzie, D. L. Peterson, J. Littell, and McKelvey, K. S. 2007. Research agenda for integrated landscape modeling. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRSGTR-194. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 51 p.
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Schwartz, M. K., K. L. Pilgrim, K. S. McKelvey, P. T. Rivera, L. F. Ruggiero. 2007. DNA Markers for Identifying Individual Snowshoe Hares Using field-collected Pellets. Northwest Science, Vol. 81, No.4.
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Schwartz MK, Aubry KB, McKelvey KS., Pilgrim KL, Copeland JP, Squires JR, Inman RM, Wisely SM and Ruggiero LF. 2007. Inferring Geographic Isolation of Wolverines in California Using Historical DNA. The Journal of Wildlife Management 71:2170–2179.
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Copeland, J. P., J.M.. Peek, C. R. Groves, W. E.. Melquist, K. S. Mckelvey, G. W. McDaniel, C. D. Long, C. E. Harris. 2007. Seasonal Habitat Associations of the Wolverine in Central Idaho. The Journal of Wildlife Management 71:2201–2212.
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Ruggiero, L. F., K. S. Mckelvey, K. B. Aubry, J. P. Copeland, D. H. Pletscher, M. G. Hornocker. 2007. Wolverine Conservation and Management. The Journal of Wildlife Management 71(7).
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Gonzalez, P., R. P. Neilson, K. S. McKelvey, J. M. Lenihan, R. J. Drapek. 2007. Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Habitat and Conservation Priority Areas for Lynx canadensis (Canada Lynx). Report to: Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air, and Rare Plants Staff; National Forest System; Forest Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; Washington, DC. and: NatureServe, Arlington, VA
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Cushman, S. A., K. S. McKelvey, C. H. Flather, and K. McGarigal. 2007. Do forest community types provide a sufficient basis to evaluate biological diversity? Front Ecol Environ 2008; 6, doi: 10.1890/070039
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Ortega Y. K., K. S. McKelvey, D. L. Six 2006. Invasion of an exotic forb impacts reproductive success and site fidelity of a migratory songbird. Oecologia 149: 340-351.
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Noon, B. R. and K. S. McKelvey. 2006. The Process of Indicator Selection. USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P-42CD :944-951.
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Michael K. Schwartz, Samuel A. Cushman, Kevin S. McKelvey, Jim Hayden, and Cory Engkjer. 2006. Detecting genotyping errors and describing American black bear movement in northern Idaho. Ursus 17(2):138–148.
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McKelvey, Kevin S., von Kienast, Jeffrey, Aubry, Keith B., Koehler, Gary M.; Maletzke, Bejamin T., Squires, John R., Lindquist, Edward L., Loch, Steve, Schwartz, Michael K. 2006. DNA Analysis of Hair and Scat Collected Along Snow Tracks to Document the Presence of Canada Lynx. Wildlife Society Bulletin, Vol. 34(2): 451-455
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Samuel A. Cushman, Kevin S. McKelvey, Jim Hayden, and Michael K. Schwartz. 2006. Gene Flow in Complex Landscapes: Testing Multiple Hypotheses with Causal Modeling. Am. Nat. 2006. Vol. 168, pp. 486–499.
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Ray S. Vinkey, Michael K. Schwartz, Kevin S. Mckelvey, Kerry R. Foresman, Kristine L. Pilgrim, Brian J. Giddings, and Eric C. Loth. 2006. When Reintroductions are Augmentations: The Genetic Legacy of Fishers. (Martes Pennanti) in Montana. Journal of Mammalogy, 87(2):265–271.
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Mills, L. S., P. C. Griffin, K. E. Hodges, K. Mckelvey, L. Ruggiero, T. Ulizio. 2005. Pellet count indices compared to mark–recapture estimates for evaluating snowshoe hare density. Journal of Wildlife Management 69:1053–1062.
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Holthausen, R. Czaplewski RL, DeLorenzo D, Hayward G, Kessler WB, Manley P, McKelvey KS, Powell DS, Ruggiero LF, Schwartz MK, Van Horne B, and Vojta CD. 2005. Strategies for Monitoring Terrestrial Animals and Habitats. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-161. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 34p.
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McKelvey KS and Schwartz MK. 2005. DROPOUT: a program to identify problem loci and samples for noninvasive genetic sampling in a capture-mark-recapture framework. Molecular Ecology Notes 5: 716-718.
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K. L. Pilgrim, K . S. McKelvey, A . E. Riddle And M. K. Schwartz. 2005. Felid sex identification based on noninvasive genetic samples. Molecular Ecology Notes. 5, 60–61.
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Ortega Y. K., D. E. Pearson, and K. S. McKelvey. 2004. Effects of biological control agents and exotic plant invasion on deer mouse populations. Ecological Applications 14: 241-253.
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McKelvey KS and Schwartz MK. 2004. Providing reliable and accurate genetic capture–mark–recapture estimates in a cost-effective way. Journal of Wildlife Management 68(3): 453-456.
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Michael K. Schwartz, Kristine L. Pilgrim, Kevin S. McKelvey, Edward L. Lindquist, James J. Claar, Steve Loch and Leonard F. Ruggiero. 2004. Hybridization between Canada lynx and bobcats: Genetic results and management implications. Conservation Genetics 5: 349–355.
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Squires JR, McKelvey KS, Ruggiero LF. 2004. A snow-tracking protocol used to delineate local lynx, Lynx canadensis, distributions. Canadian Field-Naturalist 118: 583-589.
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McKelvey, K. S. and M. K. Schwartz. 2004. Genetic Errors Associated with Population Estimation Using Non-Invasive Molecular Tagging: Problems and New Solutions. J. Wildl. Manage. 68(3):439–448.
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Riddle, A., K. L. Pilgrim, L. S. Mills, K. S. McKelvey, and L. F. Ruggiero. 2003. Identification of mustelids using mitochondrial DNA and non-invasive sampling. Conservation Genetics 4:241-243.
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McKelvey KS, McDaniel GW, Mills LS, et al. 2002. Effects of plot size and shape on pellet density estimates for snowshoe hares. Wildlife Society Bulletin 30: 751-755.

Reed WJ, McKelvey KS. 2002. Power-law behaviour and parametric models for the size-distribution of forest fires. Ecological Modelling 150: 239-254.
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Michael K. Schwartz, L. Scott Mills, Kevin S. McKelvey. 2002. DNA reveals high dispersal synchronizing the population dynamics of Canada lynx. Nature Vol 415, 520-522.
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Waters JR, Zabel CJ, McKelvey KS, et al. 2001. Vegetation patterns and abundances of amphibians and small mammals along small streams in a northwestern California watershed. Northwest Science 75: 37-52.
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Pearson D. E., Y. K. Ortega, K. S. McKelvey and L. F. Ruggiero. 2001. Small mammal communities and habitat selection in Northern Rocky Mountain bunchgrass: Implications for exotic plant invasions. Northwest Science 75: 107-117.
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McKelvey KS, Pearson DE. 2001. Population estimation with sparse data: the role of estimators versus indices revisited. Canadian Journal of Zoology 79: 1754-1765.
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Pearson D. E., K. S. McKelvey , L. F. Ruggiero. 2000. Non-target effects of an introduced biological control agent on deer mouse ecology. Oecologia 122 : 121-128
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Mills, L. S., K. L. Pilgrim, M. K. Schwartz, and K. McKelvey. 2000. Identifying lynx and other North American felids based on MtDNA analysis. Conservation Genetics 1(3):285-288.
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Ruggiero LF, Schwartz MK, Buskirk SF, Krebs CJ, and Stanley A. 2000. Ecotypic variation and conservation. In: Ruggiero LF, Aubry, K.B., Buskirk, S.F., Krebs, C.J., McKelvey, K.S., Squires, J.R. (ed) The Ecology and Conservation of Lynx. University of Colorado Press, Denver, CO.

McDaniel, G.J., K.S. McKelvey, J.R. Squires, and L.F. Ruggiero. 2000. Efficacy of lures and hair snares to detect lynx. Wildlife Society Bulletin 2000, 28(1):119-123.
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McKelvey, Kevin S., Steven W. Buskirk, Charles J. Krebs 1999. Theoretical Insights into the Population Viability of Lynx. Pp. 21-38. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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McKelvey, Kevin S., K. B. Aubry, and Y. K. Ortega. 1999. History and Distribution of Lynx in the Contiguous United States. Pp. 207-264. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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Ruggiero, Leonard F., Keith B. Aubry, Steven W. Buskirk, Gary M. Koehler, Charles J. Krebs, Kevin S. McKelvey, John R. Squires. 1999. Epilogue: The Scientific Basis for Lynx Conservation: Can We Get There From Here? Pp. 471-474. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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Aubry,Keith B. , Leonard F. Ruggiero, John R. Squires, Kevin S. McKelvey, Gary M. Koehler, Steven W. Buskirk, Charles J. Krebs. 1999. Conservation of Lynx in the United States: A Systematic Approach to Closing Critical Knowledge Gaps. Pp. 455-470. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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Ruggiero, Leonard F., Keith B. Aubry, Steven W. Buskirk, Gary M. Koehler, Charles J. Krebs, Kevin S. McKelvey, John R. Squires. 1999. The Scientific Basis for Lynx Conservation: Qualified Insights. Pp. 443-454. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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McKelvey, Kevin S., Keith B. Aubry, James K. Agee, Steven W. Buskirk, Leonard F. Ruggiero, Gary M. Koehler. 1999. Lynx Conservation in an Ecosystem Management Context. Pp. 397-418. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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Apps, Clayton D. 1999. Space-Use, Diet, Demographics, and Topographic Associations of Lynx in the Southern Canadian Rocky Mountains: A Study. Pp. 351-372. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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Squires, John R. and Tom Laurion. 1999. Lynx Home Range and Movements in Montana and Wyoming: Preliminary Results. Pp. 337-350. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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Ruggiero, L. F. 1999. Preface: Ecology and Conservation of Lynx in the United States. Pp. 1-4. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.

Mowat, Garth, Kim G. Poole, Mark O'Donoghue. 1999. Ecology of Lynx in Northern Canada and Alaska. Pp. 265-306. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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Buskirk, S. W., L. F. Ruggiero, K. B. Aubry, D. E. Pearson, J Squires, and K. S. McKelvey. 1999. Comparative ecology of lynx in North America. Pp. 397-417. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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Hodges, Karen E. 1999. Ecology of Snowshoe Hares in Southern Boreal and Montane Forests. Pp. 117-162. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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Ruggiero, Leonard F. , Michael K. Schwartz, Keith B. Aubry, Charles J. Krebs, Amanda Stanley, Steven W. Buskirk 1999. Species Conservation and Natural Variation Among Populations. Pp. 101-116. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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Buskirk, Steven W. 1999. Habitat Fragmentation and Interspecific Competition: Implications for Lynx Conservation. Pp. 83-100. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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Agee, James K. 1999. Disturbance Ecology of North American Boreal Forests and Associated Northern Mixed/Subalpine Forests. Pp. 39-82. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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Ruggiero, Leonard F. and Kevin S. McKelvey. 1999. Toward a Defensible Lynx Conservation Strategy: A Framework for Planning in the Face of Uncertainty. Pp. 5-20. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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Ruggiero, L.F. , K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.). 1999. Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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McKelvey, Kevin S., Yvette K. Ortega, Gary M. Koehler, Keith B. Aubry, and J. David Brittell. 1999. Canada Lynx Habitat and Topographic Use Patterns in North Central Washington: A Reanalysis. Pp. 307-336. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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Zabel, C. J., K. McKelvey, and J. P. Ward Jr. 1995. Influence of primary prey on home-range size and habitat-use patterns of northern spotted owls (Strix occidentialis caurina). Canadian Journal of Zoology. 73: 433-439.
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