The Human-Wildlife Interface: A Case Study of Bobcat & Coyote Conflict in California
Year: 2024
Type: dissertation
Abstract: California is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, and is facing growing challenges to managing and protecting wildlife. State agencies and wildlife organizations are dedicated to fostering peaceful coexistence between residents and wildlife, particularly with predator populations as urban development expands into wild habitat. My research focuses on two medium sized predators in California, coyotes (Canis latrans) and bobcats (Lynx rufus); two species whose populations are pervasive throughout the state, and often the root of conflict with humans. As anthropogenic pressures on predator populations increase, we need to understand the dynamics driving spatial and temporal patterns of conflict to protect humans and wildlife. My research looks broadly at the state of California to understand what variables are driving conflict, particularly the highest form of conflict: depredation events. Using conflict data reported to California’s Department Fish and Wildlife, these analyses tested the relationship between depredation events and high value environmental resources (water, NDVI), land attributes (elevation, public parks, cropland, grazing), and socio-economic variables (population mean, median income). Separate occupancy models for both species found that percent water, elevation, and vegetative cover have a positive relationship with depredation events caused by both species. In addition, coyote depredation has a negative relationship with park area and crop area per site; bobcat depredation has a positive relationship with grazing area per site. The results show that state agencies can focus their efforts to protect and educate communities in areas with high water availability, high elevation, and high vegetative cover, all three variables that are positively related to depredation events for both species. State agencies have data repositories on conflict with wildlife throughout the state that can be used to understand how conflict evolves as pressures increase - and use data-informed strategies to protect humans and wildlife. The goal of my research is to provide insight into spatial and temporal drivers of conflict with coyotes and bobcats so state wildlife agencies can tailor wildlife education programs and other efforts to reduce conflict in areas that are more likely to experience higher rates of depredation.
DOI: 10.7302/23669
Author: Thompson, Carly
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4401633818