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Description
Due to the increased rates of urbanization in once biodiverse areas, it is now critical to study the effects of urbanization on species abundance and biodiversity. This study investigates the impact of urbanization in the Culver City area on coyote abundance. As part of a larger multi-year study, four sites across Culver City were studied and split into two groups, inner city, known as the urban area, and edge of city, known as the rural area. Coyote abundance was determined through the use of systematic camera trapping at each site for the year of 2020. A final total that accounts for all images collected containing coyotes at each site was analyzed and compared against the opposing locations and statistically analyzed using a t-test. In this analysis we found a decrease in coyote abundance in the urban areas as opposed to the more rural locations on the edge of town. The further understanding of urbanization’s effect on coyote populations will help us to not only protect coyotes in present day, but also allows for better coyote management polices to be put in place prior to future urban expansion.
Publication Date
Spring 2022
Recommended Citation
Mallett, Colby; Strauss, Eric; and Weaver, Melinda, "Urbanization’s Effect on a Coyote Population in Culver City" (2022). Center for Urban Resilience Research Posters. 50.
https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/cures_posters/50
