Abstract
One of the greatest challenges for land mangers is controlling invasive exotic plants. Little research is focused on exotic plant removal and its impact on listed species of concern. However sparse quantitative evidence exists regarding interaction of invasive flora and native fauna. The Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) is one of Florida’s top carnivores and has been extensively studied for more than two decades. Many habitat selection studies have been conducted throughout this two decade period but none have focused on the effect of exotic invasive plant species across the landscape in which the panther lives. The objective of this study was to determine how the removal of melaleuca (Melaleuca qunquenervia C.V Blake) effects habitat selection by the Florida panther within Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP), where an intense exotic invasive species control and removal program exists. Using ratio telemetry data in conjunction with land use maps within a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) framework, habitat selection was evaluated during and after removal of melaleuca within BCNP. Before removal, panthers did utilize areas with melaleuca infestation. Furthermore it was determined that after intense removal of melaleuca panther home ranges contacted by 18% between intensive removal and maintenance removal, and habitat selection became more diverse while natural habitats became restored in particular upland forests within core home range areas, therefore the removal of melaleuca within BNCP has improved habitat for the Florida panther. This improvement came in the form of a potential increase in carrying capacity for the panther within BCNP.
