Figure 4

Dealing with linear features in SSFs. Hypothetical GPS relocations of a wolf walking along a gravel road (sensu[49]). SSFs could underestimate selection for roads by the wolf if landscape features are measured along the lines between steps. Habitat measured at the end point of the step (wolf relocated on the road) could allow for better depiction of selection for roads by the wolf, because random steps will be less likely to end on roads. Note that many roads and other linear features are mapped as vectors without a surface, meaning that it is impossible that a wolf location will be exactly located on the road in a GIS framework. The use of buffer areas around the endpoint or, alternatively, the distance of the step endpoint to the linear feature are good ways to capture selection of linear features by animals.