Environmental Health and Societal Wealth Predict Movement Patterns of an Urban Carnivore

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT How societal, ecological and infrastructural attributes interact to influence wildlife movement is uncertain. We explored whether neighbourhood socioeconomic status environmental quality were associated with coyote ( Canis latrans ) patterns in Los Angeles, California assessed the performance of integrated social–ecological models. found that coyotes living more anthropogenically burdened regions (i.e. higher pollution, denser development, etc.) had larger home ranges showed greater daily displacement mean step length than less regions. Coyotes experiencing differing levels anthropogenic burdens demonstrated divergent selection for vegetation, road densities other habitat conditions. Further, models included societal covariates performed better only features linear infrastructure. This study provides a unique lens examining drivers urban movement, which should be applicable planners conservationists when building equitable, healthy wildlife‐friendly cities.

Language: Английский

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Stress in the city? Coyote hair cortisol varies with intrinsic and extrinsic factors within a heavily urbanized landscape

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 901, P. 165965 - 165965

Published: Aug. 3, 2023

Wildlife living in proximity to people are exposed both natural and anthropogenic factors that may influence cortisol production associated with stress response. While some species, including coyotes (Canis latrans), have become commonplace developed areas throughout North America, urban individuals still must navigate ever-changing, novel environments cope frequent disturbance. Given relatively large predators compared most other wildlife, they face unique pressures such as crossing roadways use suitable habitat fragments at a greater risk of being detected experiencing negative human interactions. To assess whether urbanization influences hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity free-ranging coyotes, we analyzed concentration hair samples from 97 residing across the gradient within Greater Chicago Metropolitan area. As proportion landcover coyote home ranges increased, experienced more stress. Body condition social status also had strong relationships Animals poorer body subordinate less than alphas. We found evidence varied seasonally among different age classes. Understanding how intrinsic extrinsic endocrine carnivores is vital for predicting hormone related behavioral patterns change future populations developed.

Language: Английский

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Habitat patch size and tree species richness shape the bird community in urban green spaces of rapidly urbanizing Himalayan foothill region of India

Urban Ecosystems, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 25(2), P. 423 - 436

Published: Sept. 10, 2021

Language: Английский

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Carnivore coexistence in Chicago: niche partitioning of coyotes and red foxes

Urban Ecosystems, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 26(5), P. 1293 - 1307

Published: May 29, 2023

Abstract Mesopredators including coyotes ( Canis latrans ) and red foxes Vulpes vulpes often co-occur in urban environments, but how niche partitioning facilitates their coexistence remains unclear. Highly urbanized areas can be spatial refuges for smaller mesopredators (i.e., human shield effect), however these species also may coexist through temporal partitioning. We used camera traps n = 110 sites) across an urbanization gradient Chicago to examine coyote-fox interactions from 2011 2018. analyzed multi-season occupancy models structural equation modeling (SEM), quantified overlap between canids with humans. Coyotes most occurred natural areas, reduced colonization rates increased extinction rates. Initial was negatively impacted by urbanization, depended on a surprising interaction When were rare, fox related positively activity; when more common, activity. This outcome reflect effect at within-site scale. The SEM further supported the negative impact of both canids, lack distribution foxes. Diel activity indicated intensified sites. Our results suggest is not operating sites Chicago. Instead, share green spaces, especially highly where promoted

Language: Английский

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Coyote scat in cities increases risk of human exposure to an emerging zoonotic disease in North America

Frontiers in Conservation Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 4

Published: Jan. 8, 2024

Introduction Zoonoses associated with urban wildlife are increasingly concerning for human health and include the recent emergence of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in North America. AE develops following infection tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis . In Alberta, up to 65% coyotes ( Canis latrans ) infected E. , scats contain eggs that can be accidentally ingested by people. Our goal was determine predictors prevalence intensity coyote Edmonton, Canada, identify scat deposition content, especially as related anthropogenic food sources infrastructure. Methods To study intensity, volunteers collected 269 scats, which were tested using polymerase chain reaction. We compared shedding habitat content. presence we used snow tracking 1263 scats. landscape characteristics at available points, among different contents. negative binomial regression predict abundance city-delineated green spaces. Results 26.0% positive n = 70), twice common expected near compost 1.3x more than when contained food. Scats other (80% within 1 m 27% 11.5 m), buildings (19% buildings, 16% 80 camps people experiencing homelessness (24% camps, 20% 60 m). frequently fruit (52.9%), material (36.7%), birdseed (16.0%), containing often occurred infrastructure, supporting a relationship between attractants accumulation. Discussion These results suggest abundant increase aggregation, increasing both rates, turn increases risk exposure zoonotic parasites humans. Risk humans might reduced preventing access aggregated educating who likely encounter soil or vegetation, including gardeners, park users, homelessness.

Language: Английский

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Wild Urban Injustice: A Critical POET Model to Advance Environmental Justice

Environmental Justice, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 17(2), P. 120 - 127

Published: Feb. 17, 2023

Background: People and wildlife can both be the subjects of environmental injustice. Although their experiences are clearly not same, shared logics oppression often impose harms through environment on vulnerable marginalized people free-living nonhuman animals. Critical justice provides a matrix for analyzing addressing arrangements power across categories difference, whereas human ecology approaches offer frameworks interactions systems in urban contexts. We develop new analytical model—critical population, organization, environment, technology (POET)—to strengthen to studying human–environmental problems by integrating four pillars critical with dimensions POET model. Methods: This article uses case study approach coyotes living areas demonstrate one use model analyze linkages between injustices humans, wildlife, environment. Results: Urbanization as core spatial logic—through twin forces institutional racism speciesism—has perpetrated against color coyotes. Discussion: Identifying is key step toward realization robust multispecies justice. Conclusion: The relationships that produce maintain social historically contemporarily groups, nonhuman.

Language: Английский

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Genetic adaptation to urban living: molecular DNA analyses of wild boar populations in Budapest and surrounding area

Mammalian Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 102(1), P. 221 - 234

Published: Jan. 12, 2022

Abstract Studies of wild boar, Sus scrofa Linnaeus 1758, in urban and suburban areas Budapest, Hungary, have indicated that these populations do not continuous contact. Based on the assumption city has a discrete population, we hypothesized boar would differ genetically from those areas. Analysis single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data using GeneSeek Genomic Profiler (GGP) Porcine 50 K system (Neogen, Scotland, UK) differentiated three populations: Buda (B) Western bank Danube; Surrounding (BS); Valkó (V) Eastern Danube. The coefficient genetic differentiation ( F ST ) for B BS was low. inbreeding coefficients V were close to zero, while population had high positive value reflecting influence founders population. genome regions most between analyzed based values SNP markers mixed linear multi-locus model BayeScan software. marker, WU_10.2_18_56278226, found chromosome 18. surrounding region contained several candidate genes could play important roles adaptations related human-induced stress. Two these, encoding adenylate cyclase 1 ADCY1 inhibin beta A chain precursor INHBA genes, sequenced. While IHBA gene did display variation, allele distribution significantly different supporting parapatric boar.

Language: Английский

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Leveraging Open‐Source Geographic Databases to Enhance the Representation of Landscape Heterogeneity in Ecological Models

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(10)

Published: Oct. 1, 2024

Wildlife abundance and movement are strongly impacted by landscape heterogeneity, especially in cities which among the world's most heterogeneous landscapes. Nonetheless, current global land cover maps, used as a basis for large-scale spatial ecological modeling, represent urban areas single, homogeneous, class. This often requires ecologists to rely on geographic resources from local governments, not comparable between available underserved countries, limiting scale at conservation issues can be tackled. The recent expansion of community-based databases, example, OpenStreetMap (OSM), represents an opportunity generate maps geared toward their specific research needs. However, computational differences language format, high diversity information within, limit access these data. We provide framework, using R, extract features OSM database, classify, integrate them into maps. framework includes exhaustive list describing peri-urban landscapes is validated quantifying completeness characterized, accuracy its final output 34 North America. portray application generating variables analysis OSM-enhanced map urbanization index, subsequently analyze occupancy six mammals throughout Chicago, Illinois, USA. characterized had values impervious classes (50%-100%). output, OSM-enhance map, provided 89% accurate representation 30m resolution. OSM-derived index outperformed other data layers concurred with previously seen response trends, whereby lagomorphs squirrels responded positively urbanization, while skunks, raccoons, opossums, deer negatively. study provides roadmap leverage fine resolution open-source databases apply it modeling research-specific variables. As our results show, context-specific improve outputs reduce uncertainty, when trying understand anthropogenic impacts wildlife populations.

Language: Английский

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Predictors of Mammalian Diversity in the New York Metropolitan Area

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: July 6, 2022

Urbanization can have profound consequences for mammalian biodiversity and is thought to contribute patterns of species richness community composition. Large cities be particularly challenging environments mammals because these habitats are often impacted by anthropogenic perturbations, including high human population density, fragmented habitats, extensive development. In this study, we investigated richness, Shannon–Wiener diversity, evenness in the most densely populated region United States: New York metropolitan area. Specifically, deployed camera traps from 2015 2019 investigate six drivers diversity across 31 greenspaces: (1) (2) patch size, (3) habitat type, (4) surrounding land cover, (5) geographical barriers dispersal, (6) heterogeneity. We found that mammal composition largely influenced a multitude factors. was higher greenspaces with larger sizes lower surrounded more Moreover, were urban natural landscapes than human-altered landscapes. subset data only included carnivores, carnivore sites densities. Finally, dispersal contributed both diversity: taxa all significantly on continent (Bronx/Westchester) Long Island. These results suggest preserving important maintaining management should concentrate large, connected, greenspaces.

Language: Английский

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Bat use of golf courses depends on surrounding landscape context

Urban Ecosystems, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 26(5), P. 1469 - 1482

Published: June 26, 2023

Abstract Understanding how wildlife responds to altered ecosystems is an important conservation objective. Urban green spaces may support communities, but their internal and external environments vary substantially. Golf course design management generally follow standardized best practices, thus frequently contain similar ecological features. However, studies investigating value have produced discordant conclusions; therefore, we hypothesize that environmental factors significantly affect utility for wildlife. We used acoustic detectors survey bats at eleven golf courses across a gradient of landscapes (urban, agricultural, forested) over two years. generalized linear mixed models examine landscape features surrounding relate bat activity. For most species, activity was greater on when the contained fewer open more developed land. conclude situated in provide foraging habitat bats. Notably, several species concern were active with larger patches nearby forest. Given resources are finite, recommend using assess potential allocating effort improve likely benefit other

Language: Английский

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