Thesis Format
Integrated Article
Degree
Master of Science
Program
Geography and Environment
Supervisor
Long, Jed A.
Abstract
Coyotes (Canis latrans) are a widespread predator within North America, acting as a keystone species in a variety of ecosystems. Within protected areas, understanding the role of coyotes as a top predator is important for effective management. However, studying coyotes is challenging as the species is elusive and highly plastic in their abundance, spatial temporal distribution, habitat selection, and choice of prey. Within the Long Point National Wildlife Area (LPNWA) coyotes have been identified as a top predator but management lacks up-to-date information about the coyote population. In the summer of 2022, we initiated a two-year camera trapping study using 30 cameras rotated across 90 sites in a 500 m2 hexagonal grid arranged across the LPNWA Long Point Unit. Using the observations at each site, the Random Encounter Model (REM) was applied to estimate the density of adults and pups across the breeding and pup-rearing seasons from 2022 to 2024. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were created to inform how different characteristics of the landscape (e.g., habitat type, distance to shore, topography) influence the activity of coyotes across climactic seasons. The results of this study will inform on the density and habitat use of the coyotes to provide baseline information for Canadian Wildlife Service management.
Summary for Lay Audience
The Long Point National Wildlife Area (LPNWA) is a federally protected zone located on the world’s largest freshwater sand spit. The area is recognized federally as a “Priority Place” and internationally as an UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, due to its concentration of rare habitats that host a high density of species at risk and its ecological importance for migratory birds. Historically the LPNWA has been impacted by an overabundance of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) causing diminished ecosystem function and quality due to cascading effects of over browsing. Under 30 years of Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) stewardship, the white-tailed deer population has been reduced, resulting in a significant improvement in white-tailed deer health, ecosystem health and biodiversity. With the successful remediation within the LPNWA, management is interested in assessing the coyote (Canis latrans) population, an important top predator previously assessed in the 1980s.
To meet the objective of assessing the coyote population we designed a camera trapping project beginning in June 2022, sampling 90 sites within the LPNWA over a 2-year period. Using photo data collected at each site, we estimated the number of coyotes within the LPNWA. Depending on the time of year, between 12 to 32 coyotes were estimated to roam the site, with the higher number reflecting the total population including both adults and that year’s pups. Camera trap data was additionally used to understand coyote habitat use, and to understand if habitat use changed seasonally. Coyotes found to prefer areas with gentler terrain, more vegetative cover, and sites closer to the shore of Lake Erie, and exhibited no change in habitat use seasonally.
Using camera traps we successfully quantified the population of coyotes and explored their habitat use within the LPNWA. This information will be used to inform ongoing management activities related to white-tailed deer and coyotes within the site. This study provides novel information about coyotes within southwestern Ontario, suggesting that the LPNWA is able to host a relatively high density of coyotes, and provides insight into coyote habitat use in the absence of human activity and infrastructure.
Recommended Citation
Hrynko, Natalia, "Quantifying Coyote (Canis latrans) Abundance and Habitat Use in the Long Point National Wildlife Area Using Camera Traps" (2024). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 10446.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/10446