Principal Investigators: 
Michael A. Sawaya, Ph.D. (Sinopah Wildlife Research Associates)
Anthony P. Clevenger, Ph.D. (Western Transportation Institute)
Robert Long, Ph.D. (Woodland Park Zoo)

Collaborators:
Jocelyn Akins, Robert Anderson, Keith Aubry, Mirjam Barrueto, Nichole Bjornlie, Jeff Copeland, Cory Davis, Casey Day, Jason Fisher, Anne Forshner, Justin Gude, Doris Hausleitner, Nikki Heim, Kim Heinemeyer, Kimberly Hersey, Anne Hubbs, Bob Inman, Scott Jackson, Mike Jokinen, Andrea Kortello, Deb Lacroix, Luke Lamar, Erin Landguth, Lisa Larson, Jeff Lewis, Dave Lockman, Michael Lucid, Audrey Magoun, Kevin McKelvey, Michelle McLellan, Katie Moriarty, Cory Mosby, Garth Mowat, Cliff Nietvelt, David Paetkau, Kylie Paul, Kristine Pilgrim, Cathy Raley, Michael Schwartz, Matt Scrafford, John Squires, Scott Tomson, Zack Walker, John Waller, Rich Weir

Background:
Wolverines are elusive, wide-ranging, snow-adapted mammals that occur at low densities so they are vulnerable to the effects of fragmentation and other environmental changes, especially at the southern extent of their range where abundance, distribution, and genetic diversity are limited. In 2018, we initiated a large-scale collaborative meta-analysis to examine wolverine gene flow and population structure across western Canada and the contiguous United States following completion of an assessment of population density and genetic structure in Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks. In fall 2019, we convened a workshop in Missoula, MT with researchers from the US to develop a transboundary framework for this analysis. In summer 2020, the process of obtaining data-sharing agreements and standardizing microsatellite and haplotype data across Canada and US genetics laboratories was completed. The final aggregate dataset contains >880 wolverine genotypes that were contributed by a collaborative group of >30 wildlife researchers and managers from across southeast Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming.               

Objectives:
1) characterize wolverine population structure and quantify sex-specific migration rates to inform management and establish a baseline for genetic monitoring.
2) identify landscape connectivity barriers and linkages among existing wolverine habitat, such that conservation, restoration, or mitigation measures (e.g., corridor protection, highway crossing structures) for those areas can be prescribed and prioritized.
3) evaluate whether and where predicted environmental changes are likely to affect future wolverine movements such that proactive conservation solutions may be implemented.  

Study Area:
Locations of wolverine DNA samples compiled and standardized for transboundary genetic analysis. Samples are color-coded by last name of primary genetic data contributor.  

Future Direction and Timeline:
We will use a combination of nuclear DNA and mtDNA analysis methods to examine gene flow and population structure in western Canada and the contiguous US. We will use Principle Coordinates Analysis (PCA) and population assignment tests to characterize genetic structure and quantify inter-population migration rates. We will then use landscape resistance models and model selection to identify the significant spatial variables and movement barriers that affect gene flow on this landscape. Genetic connectivity analyses are currently underway and scheduled to be completed in 2022. Our results will be used to identify important locations for conservation actions and to inform transboundary management of the western wolverine metapopulation.

Funding was provided by:
Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative
Alberta Conservation Association
Alberta Environment and Parks
Alpine Club of Canada
BC Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program
BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
Bow Valley Naturalists
Columbia Basin Trust
Cross Foundation
Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund
Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation
Liz Claiborne Art Ortenberg Foundation
National Geographic Society
Norcross Foundation
US Fish and Wildlife Service
US Fish and Wildlife Service Great Northern Landscape Conservation Cooperative
Volgenau Foundation
Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Western Transportation Institute-MSU
Wilburforce Foundation
Wildsight
Woodcock Foundation