Animal movements link individual behaviors with community & ecosystem dynamics
The impacts of human recreation on community interactions
Wildlife activity in working landscapes
Cattle grazing on public lands is widespread across the globe. Public rangelands are managed for multiple purposes, including preservation of wildlife populations. Therefore, to manage public rangelands, it is imperative to understand how cattle grazing affects wildlife. Despite this, there is mixed evidence for the impacts of cattle on wildlife and few studies investigate both spatial and temporal aspects of wildlife activity in response to cattle.
Our research investigated wildlife space use and temporal activity in response to cattle grazing activity on California Department of Fish and Wildlife-owned properties in northern California. We found that mule deer were more nocturnal in areas with higher cattle activity, which increased their overlap in activity with coyotes. Overall, we found that low to moderate cattle grazing does not result in significant spatial displacement of common large mammals.
Caldwell and Klip 2023, REM
Our research investigated wildlife space use and temporal activity in response to cattle grazing activity on California Department of Fish and Wildlife-owned properties in northern California. We found that mule deer were more nocturnal in areas with higher cattle activity, which increased their overlap in activity with coyotes. Overall, we found that low to moderate cattle grazing does not result in significant spatial displacement of common large mammals.
Caldwell and Klip 2023, REM
Wildlife use of highway crossings
Highway crossing structures, such as underpasses, are important for increasing the connectivity of wildlife populations and maintaining migratory routes. However, many factors including the location, infrastructure, openness, and traffic levels of crossing structures can influence their effectiveness for different species. Further, species interactions (e.g., predator avoidance) and human use of underpasses can also impact how animals use these structures.
Our research combined camera and GPS collar data to investigate how species interactions, human use of underpasses (including livestock use), and deteriorating infrastructure (highway fencing and gates) impacted animal use of road crossings and roadkill hotspots in northern California. We found that predator‐prey activity and human use were among the most important factors that influenced wildlife travel through the underpasses. For example, mule deer avoided using underpasses that were highly used by their predators, mountain lions. Additionally, hotspots of roadkill were associated with broken and lower (~1m tall) highway fencing within 1-2km of the underpasses. Overall, our results indicate that wildlife use and the effectiveness of highway crossings can by influenced by both structural and ecological factors.
Caldwell and Klip 2020, JWM; Caldwell and Klip 2021, JWM
Our research combined camera and GPS collar data to investigate how species interactions, human use of underpasses (including livestock use), and deteriorating infrastructure (highway fencing and gates) impacted animal use of road crossings and roadkill hotspots in northern California. We found that predator‐prey activity and human use were among the most important factors that influenced wildlife travel through the underpasses. For example, mule deer avoided using underpasses that were highly used by their predators, mountain lions. Additionally, hotspots of roadkill were associated with broken and lower (~1m tall) highway fencing within 1-2km of the underpasses. Overall, our results indicate that wildlife use and the effectiveness of highway crossings can by influenced by both structural and ecological factors.
Caldwell and Klip 2020, JWM; Caldwell and Klip 2021, JWM