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

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

诸多野生动物物种会在空间、时间与行为维度上调整其生境选择策略，以最大化收益并最小化风险。旨在识别野生动物生境选择差异的多尺度研究方法，不仅能揭示物种的生境偏好与风险耐受特性，还能阐明其与人类共存或引发冲突的移动策略。本研究以美国加利福尼亚州门多西诺县的混合用途农业景观为研究区域，探究了人为与自然要素如何影响郊狼（Canis latrans）的生境选择。本研究采用资源选择函数（resource selection functions）与隐马尔可夫模型（hidden Markov models），检验郊狼对人为与自然要素的生境选择是否随昼夜时段或行为状态（休息、觅食与移动）发生变化。研究结果显示，郊狼会避开开发区域，但与本研究的预期相悖的是，无论昼夜时段与行为状态如何，郊狼均会选择道路、农田以及步枪狩猎者活动的区域。在移动状态下，郊狼会提升对道路的选择偏好并避开崎岖地形，这表明未铺装道路或许能提升混合用途景观中郊狼的移动连通性。最后本研究发现，郊狼在休息时段与夜间会选择美洲狮（mountain lion）的栖息生境，这意味着在粗尺度下，自然捕食者带来的风险并非影响其生境选择的因素。郊狼对与人类活动相关的区域与时段的生境选择未表现出尺度差异，这意味着若人类将郊狼视作烦扰对象，二者间便存在潜在冲突风险。