Coyote diet in North America: geographic and ecological patterns during range expansion

Mammal Review, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 52(4), P. 480 - 496

Published: June 21, 2022

Abstract Coyotes Canis latrans have expanded their geographic range by 40% in the last 120 years, raising questions about ecological impacts newly colonised areas. Despite a wealth of local knowledge on coyote diet North America, we little information how and why might vary throughout species' range. We conducted first rangewide meta‐analysis investigating ecoregion, mass, environmental conditions, presence top predators alternative food items are related to dietary diversity, as well consumption small mammals, lagomorphs, vegetation ungulates. Using data from 93 studies, used generalised linear mixed models determine which variables best explained patterns. were generally more carnivorous temperate forests than other ecoregions, primarily due greater ungulate consumption. Dietary diversity was most influenced via negative effect mammal consumption; diverse spring where human footprint greater. There minor variation consumption, but lagomorph winter when coyotes larger. Vegetation greatest summer autumn. Ungulate positively snow cover grey wolves lupus . Both intrinsic extrinsic factors diet. Larger ate larger foods, parallels relationship between mass prey size across carnivore guild. Wolves humans opposing effects seem prioritise eating wild though work is needed quantify scavenging. Collectively, our findings emphasise need for continued or regional studies understand highly variable within ecosystems they currently inhabit poised inhabit.

Language: Английский

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Of Rarity and Symbolism: Understanding Human Perceptions of Charismatic Color Morphs

Human Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 52(2), P. 461 - 474

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Coloration in wildlife serves numerous biological purposes, including sexual selection signaling, thermoregulation, and camouflage. However, the physical appearance of also influences ways which humans interact with them. Wildlife conservation has largely revolved around humans’ propensity to favor charismatic megafauna, but human perceptions species extend beyond measures into our everyday interactions individual wildlife. Our aesthetic appreciation for different interplays culture, lore, economic interest they carry. As such, one characteristic that may underpin social drivers perception is coloration a particular individual. We provide case studies illustrating dynamism people have conspicuously colored – i.e., individuals vary from their species-typical coloration. focus on melanism, leucism, albinism across four commonly thought as pests United States: coyotes ( Canis latrans ), eastern gray squirrels Sciurus carolinensis white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus) , black-tailed O. hemionus ).

Language: Английский

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Social Effectiveness and Human-Wildlife Conflict: Linking the Ecological Effectiveness and Social Acceptability of Livestock Protection Tools

Frontiers in Conservation Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 2

Published: Aug. 20, 2021

Human-wildlife interactions are embedded within socio-ecological systems (SES), in which animal behavior and human decision-making reciprocally interact. While a growing body of research addresses specific social ecological elements human-wildlife interactions, including conflicts, integrating these approaches is essential for identifying practical effective solutions. Carnivore predation on livestock can threaten livelihoods, weaken relationships among stakeholders, precipitate carnivore declines. As carnivores have received greater protection recent decades, researchers managers sought non-lethal tools to reduce promote coexistence between producers carnivores. For be successful, they must effectively deter carnivores, also adopted by producers. Relatively few studies examine the context-specific effectiveness tools, even fewer simultaneously consider their acceptability To address this gap, we suggest that tool's analyzed concurrently determine its . We thus paired an experimental study deterrent called Foxlights® with qualitative interviews Northern California. placed camera traps sheep pastures measure response coyotes ( Canis latrans ) experimentally deployed Foxlights interviewed before after experiment. Our experiment revealed weak evidence reducing coyote activity Foxlights, but potential adoption had as much do implementation feasibility evidence-based measurements tool effectiveness. Interviewees viewed potentially components husbandry systems, despite data suggesting otherwise, demonstrating scientific reductionism may lag behind producer practices systems-thinking isolated demonstrations not drive adoption. Future empirical tests should better producers' perspectives acknowledge data-based alone limited place decision-making. Iteratively working build trust outputs through process itself.

Language: Английский

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Robust mapping of human–wildlife conflict: controlling for livestock distribution in carnivore depredation models

Animal Conservation, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 25(2), P. 195 - 207

Published: Aug. 11, 2021

Abstract Shifting human–wildlife conflict towards coexistence requires a robust understanding of where happens and why. Spatial models livestock depredation by wild predators commonly identify hotspots in areas are most abundant (e.g. nearer villages or pasture). This may reflect underlying distribution, rather than imply these inherently risky for livestock. limits the predictive power their usefulness mitigation carnivore conservation. Here, we build spatial both cattle (530 attacks mostly lions hyenas; 2009‐2013), presence (14 GPS‐collared herds; 2010‐2012) near Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. We use Bayes’ theorem to combine quantify risk as conditional probability given presence. Our raw predicted higher rates was more likely (near open habitats). By contrast, our model further from human activity dense vegetation (where were expected low presence). Risk has also increased sharply protected (core habitat). formulation captures high‐risk those accessible (i.e. vulnerable) opposed simply they available (as much previous work). make recommendations protection conservation based on quantification risk, such avoid herding which prioritize protection. approach be profitably applied guide safer grazing other contexts movement data available. hope that concepts methods develop here will help advance future study generally.

Language: Английский

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Safe space in the woods: Mechanistic spatial models for predicting risks of human–bear conflicts in India

Biotropica, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 55(2), P. 504 - 516

Published: Feb. 11, 2023

Abstract Human–wildlife interactions can have negative consequences when they involve large carnivores. Spatial risk modelling could serve as a useful management approach for predicting and pre‐emptively mitigating interactions. We present mechanistic framework examine between humans sloth bears ( Melursus ursinus ) in multi‐use forest landscape of central India. first assessed patterns determinants bear distribution across the using indirect sign surveys. At same spatial scale, we then estimated probabilities attacks on people information from 675 interviews with local residents, incorporating estimates previous step. found average occupancy probability 128 grid‐cells to be 0.77 (SE = 0.03). Bear was influenced by terrain ruggedness, composition configuration, vegetation productivity size human settlements. The attack any given grid‐cell 0.61 0.03), mostly determined occurrence patterns, cover, Using people's dependence resources, identified locations highest attacks. Our study demonstrates that bears—generally believed random or incidental—in fact showed deterministic patterns. applied other scenarios involving human–wildlife conflicts. Based our findings, propose proactive co‐management which involves collaboration wildlife managers residents help better manage human–bear conflicts India elsewhere species' range.

Language: Английский

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Patterns of livestock predation risk by large carnivores in India’s Eastern and Western Ghats

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 24, P. e01366 - e01366

Published: Nov. 19, 2020

Large scale spatial patterns of livestock predation risk from multiple co-predators are fundamental to applied conservation planning. Here, we examined important ecological, social, and landscape attributes explaining human-carnivore interactions. We used a systematic grid-based framework, across an area 14,200 km2 sixteen Forest Divisions at the human-wildlife interface encompassing Protected Areas, Reserved Fringe Areas in Eastern Western Ghats, India. The data was collected on depredation incidents tiger (Panthera tigris), leopard pardus), dhole (Cuon alpinus) for past five years, through semi-structured interviews (n = 1460) local communities. socio-ecological (i.e. abundance forest dependency) cover, climates topographic) influencing events each carnivore species. found that by tiger, driven size species, dependency people forest, topography, proximity water body boundary, precipitation, cover. Risk exhibited high overlap, leopards higher than tiger. Livestock frequent open areas buffer zones, while occurred densely forested core regions (PAs). Our predictive maps (ca. 22,525 km2) showed species-specific patterns, reflected ecological differences among large carnivores with regards their habitat partitioning domestic prey. map factors associated predations provides powerful visual guidance tools PA managers developing multi-species conflict mitigation strategies. recommend diversifying economic livelihoods benefit-sharing options communities minimize dependency.

Language: Английский

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Human–wildlife coexistence in science and practice

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 3(3)

Published: March 1, 2021

Human–wildlife interactions shape human cultures, animal communities, and species evolution. They are ubiquitous, diverse in nature, leading to desirable undesirable consequences (Frank, Glikman, & Marchini, 2019; Nyhus, 2016). The human–wildlife interface is dynamic; emerging where humans expand into natural habitats or wildlife populations human-dominated areas. For example, increased through better habitat protection, climate change induced range shifts, agricultural lands provide food shelter (König et al., 2020). Agricultural landscapes, because of the amplification production relatively low-density population, a major arena for interactions. From an anthropocentric perspective, provides both benefits costs. Benefits include ecosystem services such as pollination, seed dispersal, pathogen control, recreational value income tourism (Power, 2010). Disservices damage livestock, crops, transmission, loss life (Ceaușu, Graves, Killion, Svenning, Carter, Swinton, Lupi, Robertson, Hamilton, 2007). Effectively equitably governing these service tradeoffs remains key challenge sustainably sharing landscapes with (Redpath 2013). Coexistence science challenging it fundamentally multidimensional comprises complex feedbacks. In last decades, research on coexistence has rapidly Consolidating insights from those studies achieve sustainable ground formidable (Carter Linnell, 2016; Lamb 2020; Lute, López-Bao, 2018). often framed conflicts, yet this likely overly-simplifies more nuanced array (Mason 2018; Redpath, Gutiérrez, Wood, Young, 2015). Evidence-based conservation typically addresses problems by systematically reviewing scientific knowledge base synthesizing findings (Sutherland While systematic assessments have addressed specific issues (Eklund, Tourani, Chapron, Frank, 2017), they also suggest that generalizations predictions outcomes elusive. Achieving practice difficult, being influenced plethora forces, including local histories, political dynamics, uncertainty. Integrating place-based applied can generate new may help changing world. This special issue "Methods integrated assessment landscapes" features collection articles proposing, implementing variety interdisciplinary, socioecological tools addressing conflicts (Table 1). case proposed here support context costs experienced within same area but distributed unevenly among different groups people. introduce suitable interdisciplinary toolsets promote coexistence. addition, highlight inherent complexity total, 13 contributions, three perspective essays, 10 papers. Australian public; Aboriginal people Policy makers Livestock sector van Eeden, Rabotyagov, al. (2021) How we study evolves alongside our strategies reducing conflict amplifying benefits. Three papers touch evolving scholarship. Dickman, propose theory framework promoting between dingoes importance evidence-based understanding barriers opportunities behavior toward wildlife. König (2021), present guidelines analyzing multistage process stakeholder participation, enabling holistic approach conflicts. Finally, Osterman-Miyashita emphasize Citizen Science offers field monitoring managing actionable scholarship will require social–ecological approaches theory, multidisciplinary studies. Understanding concerns action one primary vector interest. Jin mapped networks, revealed trust stakeholders fair benefit two threatened crane Korea. identified ideology critical while examining human-wolf United States. Also States, Martin shows openly struggles project implementation important lessons practitioners recolonized wolves. McInturff combine ecological information perception map predation risk show improve management livestock depredation carnivores. Delclaux Fleury describe dynamic changes media coverage biodiversity-agriculture theme how related environmental events. We need enhance interventions Plaschke strategically planned overpasses effectively enable connectivity recolonization wolves their prey Germany. Barzen analyze nonlethal mitigation methods yield Greater Sandhill cranes. Kiffner tested effectiveness chili beehive fences crop raiding African elephants found had higher acceptability reduced damage. Marino investigated tolerance potentially problem-causing brown bears Italy. Kansky assessed multiple Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. Both was specific. many factors be associated given species, increasing tangible intangible tolerance. By highlighting advances assessing, evaluating, interactions, emphasizes advantages system thinking employing transdisciplinary approaches. unlikely fully resolve unique nature most contribute making decisions

Language: Английский

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Meeting at the crossroads

Elementa Science of the Anthropocene, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2021

As global environmental changes continue to accelerate, research and practice in the field of conservation biology may be essential help forestall precipitous declines earth’s ability sustain a diversity life. However, many programs have faced scrutiny for social injustices they create, especially within paradigm demarcating protected lands. Currently, new emphasizing landscapes shared by people wildlife is emerging, with it, an opportunity ensure that justice both human beyond-human groups given consideration. Here, we examine emblematic this paradigm, reintroduction recovery large carnivore species, draw from theories detail forms at stake these efforts. Our analysis shows pluralistic application required practices do not produce reproduce people. In addition, show success emerging meeting their goals fact depends on meaningfully addressing range concerns. By developing framework, also identify domains which scholarship can expand its scope. To end, introduce novel concept affective justice, describes complex role emotions as harms, disruptors understanding other links between logics oppression. framework offers comprehensive resource work through planning implementing programs, conclude describing challenges opportunities further aligning practice.

Language: Английский

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Using multiple scales of movement to highlight risk–reward strategies of coyotes (Canis latrans) in mixed‐use landscapes

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(8)

Published: Aug. 1, 2024

Abstract Many wildlife species vary habitat selection across space, time, and behavior to maximize rewards minimize risk. Multi‐scale research approaches that identify variation in can highlight not only preferences risk tolerance but also movement strategies afford coexistence or cause conflict with humans. Here, we examined how anthropogenic natural features influenced coyote ( Canis latrans ) a mixed‐use, agricultural landscape Mendocino County, California, USA. We used resource functions hidden Markov models test whether for varied by time of day behavioral state (resting, foraging, traveling). found coyotes avoided development, but, contrary our expectations, selected roads, agriculture, areas human encounter rifle use regardless diel period state. While traveling, increased roads ruggedness, indicating unpaved may enhance connectivity mixed‐use landscapes. Finally, mountain lion when resting at night, signifying from predators was factor coarse scales. Coyote places times associated activity, without scales, signals potential if are perceived people as nuisance.

Language: Английский

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Managing wolf-livestock conflict on national forests in the Western United States

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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