5 Conclusions
Accurate prediction of the spatial distribution of contacts is valuable
for understanding various ecological processes, including disease
systems and predator-prey encounters. Our contact-RSF model employs a
used-available framework, using contact locations as ”used” points and
resource select locations as ”available” points. This approach enables
us to compare the landscape characteristics at the site of contact with
those more generally used. Furthermore, it allows us to assess the
utility of predicting contact from habitat selection. Our method,
therefore, can identify multiple aspects of the spatial ecology of
contact-related processes and disentangle their environmental drivers,
which opens a door to mechanistic understanding of contact ecology.