As urban and suburban development expands, it is becoming increasingly important to understand how human-dominated areas can sustainably support wildlife. Large predators are often driven out of developed regions, yet medium-sized carnivores—or mesocarnivores—like coyotes, grey foxes, and red foxes have adapted to live alongside human populations. A recent study by Emily P. Johansson and Brett A. DeGregorio sheds light on how yard and landscape features influence the behaviour of these mesocarnivores in north-western Arkansas, USA.
Investigating Urban Mesocarnivores
This research, conducted over the summers of 2021 and 2022, utilised camera traps to monitor the presence and behaviour of mesocarnivores in 46 residential yards during the first year and 96 during the second. The study sites ranged from sparsely populated rural areas (<1 home per km²) to densely developed urban zones (589 homes per km²).
The focus of the study was threefold: to identify how yard and landscape features influenced the occupancy of coyotes (Canis latrans), grey foxes (Urocyon cineroargenteus), and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes); to assess the relative abundance of these species in different yard types; and to explore how these species share space and time within overlapping territories.
Key Research Findings
Yard Features vs. Landscape Composition: Yard-level features, such as fencing and shelter availability, played a minor role in shaping mesocarnivore occupancy compared to broader landscape composition. For example, fences were associated with a reduced probability of coyote presence, though yards with abundant shelter areas appeared to attract these animals.
Food Sources and Conflict: The study revealed that grey foxes were particularly attracted to yards with poultry, a finding that underscores potential sources of conflict between homeowners and wildlife. This highlights the need for effective management of food sources in residential areas to reduce such interactions.
Activity Patterns and Species Interactions: All three mesocarnivores displayed primarily nocturnal activity patterns, with significant overlap in their active periods. Interestingly, the species used spatio-temporal partitioning to avoid direct conflicts. For example, the likelihood of finding multiple species in the same yard within a single 24-hour period was low, suggesting they actively avoid one another.
The findings highlight the delicate balance between providing resources for wildlife and managing potential conflicts—offering a roadmap for more harmonious interactions between humans and urban wildlife in the future.
Implications for Coexistence
As residential areas continue to proliferate, this study offers valuable insights for homeowners and urban planners. The findings suggest that yards can serve as vital resources for mesocarnivores, but they also point to practical measures homeowners can adopt to minimise conflicts. For instance:
Managing Fencing and Shelter Areas: While fences can help deter certain species like coyotes, designing yards with limited shelter spaces can further reduce their appeal.
Minimising Food Attractants: Restricting access to poultry or other potential food sources can discourage visits from grey foxes and other mesocarnivores.
This research emphasises that mesocarnivores are resourceful and adaptable creatures, capable of thriving in human-dominated landscapes. By understanding their preferences and behaviours, we can better coexist with these fascinating species.
Parallels in Fox Behaviour in Canadian Studies
A separate study conducted by Hailey Paynter and colleagues in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, reinforces several findings of Johansson and DeGregorio's work, particularly concerning red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). This Canadian study investigated den-site selection in urban environments, highlighting how red foxes navigate and adapt to human-modified landscapes.
Study Similarities and Insights
Use of Natural and Anthropogenic Features: Paynter et al. found that red foxes are more likely to establish dens near natural areas or urban green spaces, avoiding roads and buildings. This aligns with Johansson et al.’s observation that mesocarnivores, including red foxes, select environments offering shelter and reduced human disturbance. Both studies emphasise the importance of maintaining natural habitats, even within urban settings, to support wildlife populations.
Avoidance of Human Disturbance: Just as Johansson et al. noted that species avoid overlapping in the same yards at the same time, Paynter et al. demonstrated that foxes prefer denning sites further from human activity, such as buildings and roads. These behaviours suggest that red foxes use spatial strategies to coexist with humans while minimising risk.
Implications for Urban Planning: Both studies underscore the importance of urban planning strategies that preserve green spaces, establish wildlife corridors, and buffer residential zones from natural habitats. These measures balance urban development with the ecological needs of adaptable species like the red fox.
Foxes and Urban Adaptation
Red foxes exemplify how wildlife can adapt to urban areas, balancing their need for resources with the challenges of human presence. These studies highlight the species' ability to exploit urban landscapes while employing avoidance strategies, such as denning near green spaces and utilising spatio-temporal partitioning to minimise conflicts with both humans and other predators.
What This Means for Homeowners and Urban Planners
For homeowners, understanding these behaviours can help foster coexistence. Measures like reducing food attractants, managing fencing, and preserving green spaces in residential yards can mitigate conflicts. For urban planners, these findings reinforce the importance of designing cities that balance human needs with the ecological requirements of adaptable species like the red fox.
Summary
Johansson and DeGregorio’s study on yard features and Paynter et al.’s research on den-site selection collectively provide a clearer picture of how mesocarnivores, particularly red foxes, thrive in human-dominated environments. These adaptable creatures remind us of the importance of coexisting with urban wildlife and the role we play in shaping habitats that can sustain them while reducing potential conflicts.
Ultimately, these studies highlight not only the adaptability of red foxes and other mesocarnivores but also the pivotal role humans play in ensuring that coexistence with wildlife remains harmonious and sustainable.
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