Connecting mountains and desert valleys for black bears in northern Mexico

Context Black bear connectivity studies are scarce in the southern distribution where the species is endangered. The identification of corridors is a strategy to promote conservation in human-modified landscapes. Objectives Assess and validate long-distance corridors in the southern black bear distribution using resistance models, occurrence records, and radio-telemetry of an individual that dispersed between the Sierras Madres of Mexico. Methods We acquired black bear occurrence records from several sources and telemetry records from one dispersal individual in northern Mexico. We generated ensemble habitat suitability models and resistance landscape surfaces to generate cumulative resistant kernel and least-cost paths to identify connectivity core areas and corridors of importance through Natural Protected Areas. Finally, we assessed long-distance corridors. Results We developed three habitat suitability models for black bears southern range; one matches the current distribution of the species. When including radio-tracking records, the landscape resistance is reduced to arid sites with low habitat suitability. We used least resistance connectivity surfaces to merge subpopulations within each Sierra Madre. The long-distance corridor models indicate narrow routes that require individuals with plastic behavioral dispersal capacity. Almost 20% of the connectivity core areas are within Natural Protected Areas. These are the first large-scale corridors using resistance layers in the southern black bear distribution. Conclusions Corridors can be functional for a range of temperate and dry habitat species. Landscape connectivity models should include the monitoring of dispersal individuals to identify the plasticity of organisms and the tangible barriers for them.