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- Title
Dynamic connectivity assessment for a terrestrial predator in a metropolitan region.
- Authors
Gelmi‐Candusso, Tiziana A; Chin, Andrew TM; Thompson, Connor A; McLaren, Ashley AD; Wheeldon, Tyler J; Patterson, Brent R; Fortin, Marie‐Josée
- Abstract
Protecting wildlife movement corridors is critical for species conservation. Urban planning often aims to create corridors for animal movement through conservation initiatives. However, research on connectivity for urban wildlife is limited. Here, we assessed connectivity for coyotes (Canis latrans) dynamically across temporal scales and demographic traits, parametrized using the habitat selection of 27 global positioning system (GPS)‐collared coyotes in the city of Toronto, Canada. The habitat selection models accounted for human population density, impervious area, vegetation density, and distance to different linear features. Results indicated that (1) vegetation‐dense areas were key for connectivity in urban areas; (2) riverbanks, railways, and areas below power lines were predicted as movement corridors; and (3) commercial and industrial clusters strongly disrupted connectivity. Spatiotemporal differences in connectivity were associated with time of day and coyote social status but not with climate and biological seasonality or coyote age and sex. Residential roads were pivotal in the temporal dynamism of connectivity. The maintenance and enhancement of plant structural complexity along key infrastructure (for example, highways, waterways, and parking lots) should be considered when managing connectivity corridors in cities.
- Subjects
TORONTO (Ont.); WILDLIFE conservation; URBAN animals; GLOBAL Positioning System; CORRIDORS (Ecology); POPULATION density; HABITAT selection
- Publication
Frontiers in Ecology & the Environment, 2024, Vol 22, Issue 4, p1
- ISSN
1540-9295
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/fee.2633