In May 2005, the Wildlands Project released a second carnivore study as part of its ongoing conservation planning efforts in the greater northern Appalachian region. Authored by Dr. Carlos Carroll, this study analyzes the long-term viability of lynx and marten in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada.

Both lynx and marten are primarily associated with Canadian boreal regions, but the southern limits of their range falls within the northern Appalachians. Much of this southern range is fragmented by climate and human-associated factors, such as urbanization and the conversion of forest to farmland. Because lynx and marten typically live in small and semi-isolated populations, climate change can interact with habitat conversion and direct exploitation (for example, trapping) to form an "extinction vortex" that could have profound impacts on both species. The unexpected fragility of these species highlights the need for more large, well-connected protected areas and for resource management practices that will enhance the prospects for these species over the long term.

The Wildlands Project is now using these studies--together with data on common and rare natural communities in the region--to complete a proposed Wildlands Network Design for the greater Northern Appalachian region. To create the WND, comprised of core wild areas, wildlife linkages, and well-managed buffer lands, we are finishing up a comprehensive analysis that will identify both areas of high conservation value and areas that create wildlife linkages, or networks. We presented a first draft of our findings in Montreal this past June.

A second round of analyses was completed this summer and will be presented to scientific reviewers and conservation partners later this year. Their comments will be incorporated into a final set of maps that will serve as the foundation for the full Wildlands Network Design, which is on schedule to be completed in 2006.