Abstract
Species can generally be characterized along an urban-rural gradient based on their adaptability to urbanized landscapes. However, there is little information about the landscape features that drive species distributions in urban areas or how species respond to local patterns of urban development. The purpose of this study is to delineate patterns of mammal species assemblages across an urbanization gradient in Edmonton, Alberta, to determine the relative tolerance of 13 species to urbanization. My specific objectives are to determine, (1) which species respond similarly to urbanization, (2) how species responses to urbanization fit within the urban avoider, adapter, and exploiter framework, and (3) if coyotes act as urban exploiters in Edmonton. We deployed 89 camera traps in natural and modified areas in the City of Edmonton from May 2018 to September 2021 to monitor mammal species across a gradient of urban density. Fine-scale habitat features associated with the percentage of vegetation cover and remotely-sensed land cover variables were derived for each site. Jackrabbits emerged as the species most capable of exploiting human-modified landscapes. Jackrabbits, along with red squirrels and skunks, demonstrated higher selection for modified sites with a greater density of human-disturbed landscape features. Ungulates were more often detected further from the city center and selected similar landscape features associated with higher vegetation diversity and shrub cover, exhibiting the highest degree of avoidance of human-disturbed landscapes. We did not find support for coyotes acting as urban exploiters. Instead our results suggest that coyotes act as urban adapters, capable of using both natural and human-disturbed landscapes. Our results are important for understanding how species communities may shift in response to local urban expansion. Additionally, our results reveal that coyotes may not be actively selecting for human-modified landscapes. We recommend that city managers adopt strategies that will encourage coyotes' use of natural spaces by reducing coyote attractants in urban centres, such as compost and high densities of natural prey, in order to reduce the likelihood of human-coyote conflict.
About the authorKate Rutherford is Masters student at the University of Alberta, in the St. Clair Lab. Prior to beginning her studies at the University of Alberta, Kate was involved in research on a diverse set of systems including howler monkey behavioural research in Costa Rica, basking shark monitoring in New Brunswick, and reptile and amphibian conservation in south-central Ontario. Kate is passionate about finding solutions for mitigating human-wildlife conflict through her research.
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