Multi-scale habitat selection highlights the importance of forests and water for mountain lions (Puma concolor) recolonizing the Great Plains

Abstract Species distributions are increasingly affected by human-induced environmental change, leading to range contractions or expansions for many species. As large carnivores recolonize parts of their historical ranges, understanding their habitat preferences is important for effective conservation and management planning. Mountain lions ( Puma concolor ) have recolonized parts of the Great Plains over the last few decades, including Nebraska, USA, where three populations have been established recently—yet there is little published about their ecology in the state. From 2019 to 2025, we documented 78 observations of mountain lion tracks and signs (scrapes, scats, and kill sites) that were confirmed by certified wildlife trackers on the participatory science platform iNaturalist. We analyzed these observations with resource selection function modeling to assess habitat selection at both local (100 m) and landscape (1 km) spatial scales. We found that proportion of forested landcover (which likely provides important cover for hunting) and proximity to water (riparian corridors likely provide travel routes) were the strongest predictor of mountain lion presence at both scales. At the landscape scale, mountain lion site selection also decreased in areas near roads with high shrubland cover. Road-adjacent shrubland appeared to reduce habitat suitability, potentially due to increased human disturbance or mortality risk. Our findings offer the first published insights into habitat selection by mountain lions in Nebraska and highlight the role of landscape structure in supporting recolonizing apex carnivore populations. This study provides ecological context to inform management decisions and promote coexistence between people and large carnivores in the landscapes of the Great Plains.