Developing an agent based model to estimate lynx movement in relation to Scottish habitat

Re-introduction of Eurasian Lynx to Scotland is being considered. Work by others has identified areas of suitable habitat, but it is not contiguous. This model examines the potential for lynx to successfully disperse from a release point. Movement rules derived from observation of wild lynx in Europe have been established in the literature. These are used in the current model to assess whether lynx are able to bridge the gap between noncontiguous areas of habitat and whether their typical movement patterns suggest that they will explore enough habitat in the months following release. The model is built using Netlogo software. Results, based on observed lynx movement rules from several European studies suggest a number of sites which would enable released lynx to access sufficient habitat to establish territories. The visual nature of the model and its mapped outputs may also have a discursive function as a tool to help people understand a landscape which includes lynx and people. The model could be easily adapted to include modified movement rules specific to the Scottish case and further developed to model human interactions such as risks from road traffic and disturbance from recreation.