Estimation of Potential Region for Raccoon (Procyon lotor) in Osaka Prefecture

Abstract

In Osaka Prefecture, the naturalized raccoon population has been increasing suddenly, which causes serious social problems. In this study, the potential region for raccoon habitat in Osaka Prefecture was estimated using the GIS (Geographic Information System) and discriminant analysis. Information on the presence of raccoons that had been obtained in Sakai City in 2005 and 2006 as well as a land cover classification map were used in the discriminant analysis. From this, two discriminants concerning the presence of raccoons were obtained. Moreover, the ratio of the land use area (town (urban) area, field area, forest area and water area) in the 1km mesh was analyzed using the two discriminants. As a result, the combination of 0% (town area) , 0.22% (field area) , 97.54% (forest area) and 2.24% (water area) most influenced the confirmation of the presence of raccoons in the 1km mesh.