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 acro...