Influence of a Large-scale Removal of an Invasive Plant (Melaleuca quinquenervia) on Home-range Size and Habitat Selection by Female Florida Panthers (Puma concolor coryi) within Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida

The control of invasive exotic plants is often deemed important for managing native wildlife, but surprisingly little research exists that evaluates benefits to wildlife, including species of conservation concern. Melaleuca quinquenervia (Melaleuca) is an invasive, non-native, broad-leaved tree that aggressively displaces native plant communities in south Florida. We used land-cover maps to document changes in plant communities and radio-telemetry data to compare habitat selection and mean home-range size of the endangered Puma concolor coryi (Florida Panther) within Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP) during a Melaleuca removal project's removal phase (1991–1997) and the ensuing maintenance and habitat recovery phase (1998–2006). During the removal phase, Panthers incorporated areas infested by Melaleuca as components of their home range. Following >99.9% removal of Melaleuca, we documented pronounced increases in total cover of native upland forest (227%), wetland forest (211%), and prairie (54%) communities. During the habitat recovery phase, Panther habitat selection in the study area included significantly more upland forest within home-range core areas, and mean home-range size contracted by 16%. However, similar reductions in mean home-range size were not observed during the same time period for the regional population of radio-collared Panthers occupying contiguous conservation lands in south Florida. Although our findings are correlational and do not demonstrate cause and effect, the increase in native plant community cover, the increased use of native plant communities by Panthers, and the reduction in mean home-range size following the removal of Melaleuca are consistent with what would be expected if improvements in habitat quality reduced Panther home-range size requirements. Restoration of native plant communities and particularly native forest types, therefore, may have improved habitat quality for the Florida Panther and resulted in smaller home-range sizes and a potential increase in carrying capacity within BCNP.