Landscape‐scale differences among cities alter common species’ responses to urbanization

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 31(2)

Published: Nov. 3, 2020

Abstract Understanding how biodiversity responds to urbanization is challenging, due in part the single‐city focus of most urban ecological research. Here, we delineate continent‐scale patterns species assemblages by leveraging data from a multi‐city camera trap survey and quantify differences greenspace availability average housing density among 10 North American cities relate distribution eight widespread mammals. To do so, deployed traps at 569 sites across these ten between 18 June 14 August. Most came 2017, though some contributed 2016 or 2018 if it was available. We found that magnitude direction species' responses within city were associated with landscape‐scale cities. For example, eastern gray squirrel ( Sciurus carolinensis ), fox niger red Vulpes vulpes ) changed negative positive once proportion green space >~20%. Likewise, raccoon Procyon lotor Virginia opossum Didelphis virginiana exceeded about 700 units/km 2 . also local richness consistently declined only more densely developed (>~700 ). Given our results, may therefore be possible design better support reduce influence on wildlife by, for increasing amount city. Additionally, important populated find innovative solutions bolster resilience because they likely observe diversity losses common species.

Language: Английский

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Behavior Change in Urban Mammals: A Systematic Review

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: Nov. 16, 2020

As cities expand to accommodate a growing human population, their impacts natural ecosystems and the wildlife residing within them increase. Some animals that persist in urban environments demonstrate behaviors distinct from rural counterparts. These potential behavioral changes are subject of body research areas ecology, biology, conservation. In spite increasing research, studies focused specifically on changing behavior mammals is limited. We conducted systematic literature review synthesize current wild mammals. found 83 papers published between 1987 March 2020. Omnivores were leading study, closely followed by carnivores specific most widely studied home range vigilance. Among reviewed studies, there 166 observations 44 with 155 occurrences change relative conspecifics less areas. The commonly observed type was alert behavior. Results indicate drive adaptive responses including diet preference, shifts activity budget vigilance, decreased flight initiation distance, increased nocturnal activity. mammal species even demonstrated ability modulate based environmental cues. Our results highlight need for long-term across variety settings promote successful management

Language: Английский

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Promoting urban ecological resilience through the lens of avian biodiversity

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: March 14, 2024

The significance of urban landscapes in safeguarding biodiversity is often disregarded, even though a considerable amount conservation focus directed toward hotspots where land conversion happening at the fastest pace. Maintaining areas not only benefits environment, but along with social, economic, and technological factors can increase stability systems to disturbance, concept known as “urban resilience”. In this synthesis paper, we explore ecological dimension resilience specifically on avian because birds are easy observe, relatively abundant, serve an indicator overall health environments. We first examine discuss role environmental stressors associated urbanization ongoing crisis. then provide overview characteristics environment that may promote birds, associations between social economic resilience. Finally, recommendations future research regarding strategies improve thus, whole, intersections ecology, ecosystem justice, planning. Since 68% world’s population projected live by 2050, it imperative scientists, planners, civil engineers, architects, others consider both cities natural anthropogenic stressors.

Language: Английский

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Behavioral responses by an apex predator to urbanization

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 30(3), P. 821 - 829

Published: Jan. 29, 2019

Wildlife can respond to urbanization positively (synanthropic) or negatively (misanthropic), and for some species, this is a nonlinear process, whereby low levels of elicit positive response, but response becomes negative at high urbanization. We applied concepts from foraging theory predict behavioral responses coyotes (Canis latrans) along an gradient in the Chicago metropolitan area, USA. estimated home range size complexity, metrics 3 movement behaviors (encamped, foraging, traveling) using Hidden Markov models. found exhibited highly urbanized landscapes: viewed landscape as lower quality, riskier, more fragmented (home time spent encamped increased). Conversely, we evidence both suburban not only higher quality than natural fragments equally risky, also it decreased, did change, complexity Although spatial became increasingly increased, were still able occupy landscapes. Our study demonstrates how wildlife be dependent on degree represents one first descriptions apex predator space use landscape.

Language: Английский

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Examining local and regional ecological connectivity throughout North America

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 37(12), P. 2977 - 2990

Published: Sept. 28, 2022

Abstract Context Conservation scientists recommend maintaining and restoring ecological connectivity to sustain biodiversity in the face of land-use climate change. Alternative assessments conducted at multiple spatial scales are needed understand consequences varying assumptions for use multi-scale conservation planning. Objectives We compared mapped output from different model scenarios identify areas important across North America. asked how vary with scale regarding way which human modification affects landscape resistance. Methods a factorial experiment using omnidirectional analyses America where we crossed “treatments” represented by four moving window sizes three resistance surfaces. The surfaces represent gradient species’ sensitivity modification. Results Maps importance varied among scenarios. effects size were more conspicuous than Outputs small windows revealed mottled patterns importance, while outputs larger broad swaths mountainous boreal Patterns tended be channelized produced human-sensitive species diffuse human-tolerant species. Conclusions Our alternative hypotheses predictions about may move response degrees can species-specific models investigate our best matches observed movements organisms. also used as coarse-filter plans. Notably, highlight isolated fragments relatively natural land simultaneously identifying regions

Language: Английский

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Seasonal and daily shifts in behavior and resource selection: how a carnivore navigates costly landscapes

Oecologia, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 194(1-2), P. 87 - 100

Published: Sept. 16, 2020

The dynamic environmental conditions in highly seasonal systems likely have a strong influence on how species use the landscape. Animals must balance and daily changes to landscape risk with underlying resources provided by that One way costs benefits of is through behaviorally-explicit resource selection temporal partitioning. Here, we test whether coyotes (Canis latrans) Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia, Canada responsive variation presumed moving We used GPS data local convex hulls estimate space Hidden Markov Models three types movement behavior: encamped, foraging, traveling. then integrated step-selection analysis investigate behaviorally explicit across times day (diurnal, crepuscular, nocturnal) season (snow-free snow). found throughout seasonally shifted foraging behavior altered choices avoid what could be challenging These suggest complex response land cover, terrain, linear corridors are not only scale dependent but also vary behavior, diel period, season. By examining axes (behavior, time day, season), more nuanced understanding predator balances cost stochastic environment.

Language: Английский

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Spatial variation in diet–microbe associations across populations of a generalist North American carnivore

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 89(8), P. 1952 - 1960

Published: May 23, 2020

Abstract Generalist species, by definition, exhibit variation in niche attributes that promote survival changing environments. Increasingly, phenotypes previously associated with a particularly those wide or expanding ranges, are dissolving and compelling greater emphasis on population‐level characteristics. In the present study, we assessed spatial diet characteristics, gut microbiome associations between these two ecological traits across populations of coyotes Canis latrans . We highlight influence carnivore community shaping relationships, as coyote varied from being an apex predator to subordinate, mesopredator sampled populations. implemented scat survey three distinct Michigan, USA. used carbon (δ 13 C) nitrogen 15 N) isotopic values reflect consumption patterns trophic level, respectively. Corresponding samples were also paired 16S rRNA sequencing describe microbial correlate values. Although comparable, found level among Specifically, δ N was highest where lowest co‐occurred grey wolves lupus The exhibited marked operational taxonomic units diversity occurred at their level. Bacteriodes Fusobacterium dominated positively correlated all no correlation C attributes. However, positive specific genera increased ascended levels. Coyotes provide model for exploring implications plasticity because they highly adaptable, wide‐ranging omnivore. As continue vary position expand geographic range, might expect divergence within community, changes physiology alterations behaviour.

Language: Английский

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Spur-winged lapwings show spatial behavioural types with different mobility and exploration between urban and rural individuals

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 292(2038)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Understanding how wildlife responds to the spread of human-dominated habitats is a major challenge in ecology. It still poorly understood urban areas affect space-use patterns and consistent intra-specific behavioural differences (i.e. types; BTs), which turn shape various ecological processes. To address these questions, we investigated movements common resident wader, spur-winged lapwing ( Vanellus spinosus ), hypothesizing that individuals will be more mobile than rural ones. We used an ATLAS tracking system track many n = 135) at high resolution over several months each. first established daily movement indices show among individuals, acting as spatial-BTs. Then focusing on two main principle components lapwings’ movements—mobility position along exploration–exploitation gradient—we BTs are shaped by urbanization, season (nesting versus non-nesting) sex. found lapwings were indeed both seasons. Furthermore, females less explorative females, especially during nesting season. These results highlight urbanization affects behaviour, even apparently urban-resilient avian residents. This underscores need consider possible consequences only apparent through advanced methods.

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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Golf Courses as Potential Habitat for Urban Coyotes

Wildlife Society Bulletin, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 44(2), P. 333 - 341

Published: March 25, 2020

ABSTRACT Wildlife increasingly live in and adapt to urban landscapes as natural habitat becomes urbanized. Many carnivores take advantage of undeveloped or open developed areas called green spaces, such parks cemeteries, meet their requirements areas. For instance, coyotes ( Canis latrans ) expanded range across most North America into metropolitan even within highly areas, where home ranges are associated with spaces that humans used least. Golf courses a unique type space can provide cover prey for coyotes, well limit human presence, especially at night during the winter off‐season. We estimated selection golf by Chicago Metropolitan Area, Illinois, USA (2009 2012) had access (home composed >3% course; n = 30) using radiotelemetry. found selected more off‐season, indicating they were responding decreased presence this time. Spatial status (resident vs. transient) amount land did not influence courses. Conversely, was greater summer transients proportion land, but influenced time day. However, there considerable intra‐ inter‐individual variability coyote both spaces. Individual could be driven characteristics (i.e., preferences, natal habitat, social status) course landscaping, golfing hours, average occupancy, tolerance personnel). © 2020 The Society.

Language: Английский

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