Volume 127, July 2014, Pages 146–153
Highlights
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- We assess human–coyote conflicts in an urban landscape.
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- We explore the role of black-tailed prairie dog colonies in impacting conflict.
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- Rates of coyote conflict were highest near habitat fragments where prairie dogs were absent.
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- Prey availability may influence human–carnivore conflicts in urban areas.
Abstract
Human–coyote
conflict in urban environments is an emerging concern throughout the
U.S., but specific factors that influence rates of conflict remain
largely unknown. We explored a possible link between coyote conflict
rates and the distribution of black-tailed prairie dogs, a highly
interactive species, in an urban landscape. Overall, rates of coyote
conflict appeared elevated in proximity to undeveloped land, but these
rates were highest near habitat fragments where prairie dogs were
absent, and 15–45% lower within 400 m of fragments colonized by prairie
dogs. Multivariate analyses comparing conflict points to random points
generated in the same area also revealed that smaller and younger
habitat fragments were associated with greater levels of conflict.
However, the effect of nearby habitat fragments lacking prairie dogs was
at least as strong as the effect of fragment area, a factor known to
influence coyote distribution. We propose several possible explanations
for reduced human–coyote conflicts on or near prairie dog colonies,
including colonies acting as more preferred foraging habitat than
backyards or neighborhoods, and changes in human behavior near colonies.
Inter-species dynamics are rarely investigated in urban systems, and
our study provides a first look at potential interactions between two
politically controversial but ecologically important species. We suggest
that future studies evaluate the impact of prey availability on
human–carnivore conflicts to determine whether conservation of prey
species may represent a valuable management strategy in urban areas.
Keywords
- Human–wildlife conflict;
- Coyote;
- Black-tailed prairie dog;
- Urban ecology;
- Landscape ecology;
- Wildlife management
- Corresponding author. Tel.:
+1 312 742 7215; fax: +1 312 742 7220.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
