Coyote Movements and Urban Landscape Dynamics in Los Angeles
UC Berkeley,UCANR, Western University of Health Sciences
This research explores how societal, infrastructural, and ecological factors influence urban coyote (Canis latrans) movements in Los Angeles County. Leveraging GPS tracking and advanced spatial analysis, the study investigated the effects of human population density, income levels, pollution burden, and urban infrastructure like roads and railways on coyote habitat selection and movement patterns.
Key findings include:
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Coyotes in higher-pollution and densely populated areas exhibit larger home ranges and increased movement activity, likely due to dispersed resources and disturbances.
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Coyote movements are best predicted by societal factors such as pollution and income, rather than ecological or infrastructural features alone.
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Urban coyotes often utilize vegetated spaces, roads, and railways, demonstrating adaptability to complex urban environments.
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Individuals in socioeconomically burdened areas are more dependent on urban infrastructure for connectivity and exhibit stronger selection for parks and vegetated areas.
The study emphasizes the need to incorporate societal factors into urban wildlife management strategies to enhance coexistence in rapidly urbanizing landscapes. Insights from this research can guide the design of urban spaces to promote biodiversity and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.