Threading the needle: how humans influence predator-prey spatiotemporal interactions in a multiple-predator system

Perceived predation risk and the resulting antipredator behavior varies
across space, time, and predator identity. Communities with multiple
predators that interact and differ in their use of space, time of
activity, and hunting mode create a complex landscape for prey to avoid
predation. Anthropogenic presence and disturbance have the potential to
shift interactions among predators and prey and the where and when
encounters occur. We examined how spatiotemporal antipredator behavior of
white-tailed deer fawns (Odocoileus virginianus) differed along an
anthropogenic disturbance gradient that had black bears (Ursus
americanus), coyotes (Canis latrans), bobcats (Lynx rufus), and humans
present. We quantified 1) coarse-scale spatial co-occurrence in species
distributions, 2) temporal overlap across the diel cycle, and 3)
fine-scale spatiotemporal associations between humans, bears, coyotes,
bobcats, adult male deer, and fawns. We also examined how deer vigilance
behavior changed across the anthropogenic disturbance gradient and survey
duration. Anthropogenic disturbance influenced spatiotemporal
co-occurrence across multiple scales, often increasing spatiotemporal
overlap among species. In general, species’ spatial co-occurrence was
neutral or positive in anthropogenically disturbed environments. Bears and
fawns, coyotes and adult male deer, and bobcats and fawns all had higher
temporal overlap in the agriculture-development matrix sites. In addition,
factors that influenced deer vigilance (e.g., distance to forest edge and
predator relative abundance) in the agriculture-development matrix sites
did not in the forest matrix site. By taking into account the different
antipredator behaviors that can be detected and the different scales these
behaviors might occur, we were able to gain a more comprehensive picture
of how humans reduce available niche space for wildlife, creating the
neutral and positive spatiotemporal associations between species that
studies have been seeing in more disturbed areas.