Summary: A comprehensive study using over 4,500 wildlife cameras across the United States has revealed unexpected patterns in coyote populations. Researchers found that hunting may actually increase local coyote numbers, while the presence of larger predators like bears and pumas proves more effective at controlling populations. The findings challenge traditional wildlife management approaches and provide new insights for conservation efforts.
Journal: Ecography, 2024 | Reading time: 5 minutes
The Paradox of Predator Control
Traditional wisdom suggests that hunting helps control coyote populations. However, new research from the University of New Hampshire indicates the opposite may be true. Using one of the largest wildlife camera networks ever deployed, scientists have uncovered surprising dynamics in North America’s most successful predator populations.
“Intensive coyote removal can obviously reduce populations in the short-term, but removal can also result in younger coyote populations with higher reproduction and immigration rates,” explains Remington Moll, lead author and assistant professor at the University of New Hampshire. “In our study, we detected more coyotes in places where hunting was allowed.”
A Network of Electronic Eyes
The research team analyzed data from over 4,500 cameras set up across the country through the Snapshot USA project. This extensive network allowed scientists to study coyote behavior and population patterns across diverse landscapes, from urban areas to wilderness.
By combining camera data with satellite imagery and advanced modeling techniques, researchers could evaluate how different factors – from habitat type to competition with larger carnivores – affect coyote populations. The result is the first comprehensive abundance map of America’s most widespread predator.
Nature’s Balance
The study revealed that larger predators may be more effective at controlling coyote numbers than human hunters. “Our work suggests that promoting the recovery of large carnivores, especially in certain habitats, is more likely to reduce coyote numbers than people directly hunting them,” says Roland Kays, a research professor with North Carolina State University.
The effectiveness of these natural controls varies by habitat. Black bears have a stronger limiting effect in forested areas, while pumas exert more influence in open environments. Meanwhile, coyotes thrive in grasslands and agricultural landscapes, where prey and shelter are abundant.
Urban Adaptation
The research also revealed complex relationships between coyotes and urban development. While dense city centers tend to have fewer coyotes, suburban areas often support healthy populations. These areas provide a mix of natural and human-modified resources that clever coyotes can exploit.
Regional variations are significant, with the southwestern United States hosting the largest populations and the northeast showing lower numbers, reflecting the species’ ongoing expansion into new territories.
Key Terms
- Habitat Fragmentation: The breaking up of large natural areas into smaller, isolated patches
- Immigration Rate: The rate at which new animals move into an area from surrounding regions
- Camera Array: A systematic arrangement of wildlife cameras used to monitor animal populations
- Carnivore: A meat-eating animal that preys on other animals
Test Your Knowledge
- How many camera traps were used in the study?Answer: Over 4,500 cameras
- Which region of the United States has the highest coyote populations?Answer: The southwestern U.S.
- What type of environments do coyotes thrive in most?Answer: Grasslands and agricultural landscapes
- How do black bears affect coyote populations differently than pumas?Answer: Black bears have a stronger limiting effect in forested areas, while pumas exert more influence in open environments
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