University of Kentucky UKnowledge University of Kentucky Master's Theses Graduate School 2009 FLORIDA PANTHER AND BLACK BEAR: A ROAD AND URBAN AVOIDANCE/UTILIZATION ANALYSIS AND IMPACTS OF LAND USE AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON LARGE CARNIVORE HABITAT IN FLORIDA Andrew James Whittle University of Kentucky,
[email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Whittle, Andrew James, "FLORIDA PANTHER AND BLACK BEAR: A ROAD AND URBAN AVOIDANCE/ UTILIZATION ANALYSIS AND IMPACTS OF LAND USE AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON LARGE CARNIVORE HABITAT IN FLORIDA" (2009). University of Kentucky Master's Theses. 618. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_theses/618 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Kentucky Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. ABSTRACT OF THESIS FLORIDA PANTHER AND BLACK BEAR: A ROAD AND URBAN AVOIDANCE/UTILIZATION ANALYSIS AND IMPACTS OF LAND USE AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON LARGE CARNIVORE HABITAT IN FLORIDA Florida is expanding its urban borders into areas of the native habitat. Increased expansion is predicted through the next several decades. Several sections of the state are home to large carnivores, such as Florida panther and black bear, which are important to ecosystem function. Expansion of roads and urban centers will greatly reduce the quality and quantity of carnivore habitat. In this study, I used Euclidean distance analyses and very high frequency (VHF) telemetry points to produce distance categories in which carnivores either have a negative/neutral/positive association with roads and urban centers.