Multi-state diel occupancy model

Current methods to model species habitat use through space and diel time
are limited. Development of such models is critical when considering
rapidly changing habitats where species are forced to adapt to
anthropogenic change, often by shifting their diel activity across space.
We use an occupancy modeling framework to specify the multi-state diel
occupancy model (MSDOM), which can evaluate species diel activity against
continuous response variables which may impact diel activity within and
across seasons or years. We used two case studies, fosa in Madagascar and
coyote in Chicago, USA, to conceptualize the application of this model and
to quantify the impacts of human activity on species spatial use in diel
time. We found support that both species varied their habitat use by diel
states—in and across years, and by human disturbance. Our results
exemplify the importance of understanding animal diel activity patterns
and how human disturbance can lead to temporal habitat loss. The MSDOM
will allow more focused attention in ecology and evolution studies on the
importance of the short temporal scale of diel time in animal-habitat
relationships and lead to improved habitat conservation and management.