Use of Anthropogenic Linear Features by Alternative Predators in Woodland Caribou Range

In this study, we examined seasonal coyote and black bear use of industrial linear features and rivers and streams (i.e. natural linear features). We used two methods to assess movement behavior relative to linear developments. First, we used step selection functions (SSF; Fortin et al. 2005) to assess fine-scale movement in relation to industrial linear developments, i.e. pipeline right-of-ways, all-season roads, and conventional seismic lines. We predicted that if industrial linear features are important conduits to animal movement, coyotes and black bears would be more likely to move closer to these features than expected at random. Second, we used coyote and black bear Global Positioning System (GPS) locations to create observed animal movement paths and assessed whether these followed industrial linear features more closely than a null model of simulated animal paths. We predicted that if these features were being used as movement corridors, observed paths would show less deviation from industrial linear features than simulated paths.