First page: juad006 Abstract: Elucidating bee response to urbanization is essential to promoting pollinator diversity in cities especially considering such landscapes are projected to expand to support future global populations. To determine how bee community composition and plant–pollinator interactions respond to urbanization, 29 sites representing three urban categories (high, medium and low urbanization) were monitored biweekly from May through early October in Toronto, Canada. Bees were collected passively using pan and blue vane traps as well as actively using aerial nets and vacuums to compare community structure and plant–pollinator networks among urban categories. Functional traits such as dietary breadth, behaviour, nesting substrate and native or non-native status were also examined to determine how landscape influences bee community assemblages. In total, 5477 bees, comprising 26 genera and 164 species, were represented in this study. The urban landscape was largely supportive of species within the family Apidae and Halictidae as well as ground nesting, native and generalist species. Overall, community composition was affected by urban landscape characteristics such as percent tree cover and impervious (i.e. paved and built) surface surrounding sites; however, bee richness and abundance were significantly influenced by plant richness and not by landscape variables. A total of 3267 interactions were observed throughout the study region with characteristics of plant–pollinator networks remaining consistent along the urban gradient with a few floral host plants such as Solidago dominating interactions in certain urban contexts. These results provide important land use and floral host information for targeting pollinator conservation and habitat restoration. PubDate: Fri, 26 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/jue/juad006 Issue No:Vol. 9, No. 1 (2023)
First page: juad007 Abstract: Coyote (Canis latrans) management becomes increasingly necessary as the species' range expands, but some methods may be controversial in urban landscapes. Understanding why the public considers certain methods acceptable may help decrease conflict between residents and wildlife managers. We surveyed 4000 registered voters in New Hanover County, North Carolina, to evaluate attitudes toward three coyote management methods: no management, public education and trap/euthanasia. We used the expectancy-value model and multinomial logistic regression models to determine which public beliefs and desires regarding outcomes of each coyote management method predicted acceptance of each method. Attitudes of respondents who accepted a method differed from those who rejected the method. Positive attitudes toward no management were influenced by outcomes involving a natural death for coyotes and family, pet and personal safety. Positive attitudes toward public education were influenced by outcomes involving family safety, public participation, fewer coyotes and for coyotes to avoid an inhumane death. Positive attitudes toward trap/euthanasia were influenced by outcomes for coyotes avoiding an unnatural and inhumane death, pet safety and public participation. Understanding the public's beliefs and desires regarding coyote management methods will help wildlife managers tailor public education programs, resolve controversies regarding alternative management methods and improve future wildlife management decisions. PubDate: Thu, 18 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/jue/juad007 Issue No:Vol. 9, No. 1 (2023)
First page: juad005 Abstract: Many bat species are highly social, forming groups of conspecifics, particularly during the maternity season. In temperate North America, these social groups are typically comprised of closely related individuals or individuals that share some common trait (i.e. reproductive state or shared hibernacula from the previous winter). In the summer, when bats use forests for day-roosts, these social groups often demonstrate nonrandom patterns of periodically associating in common roosts and disassociating using different roosts as a ‘fission–fusion society’. As cave hibernating bat species in North America continue to decline due to the impacts of White-nose Syndrome, opportunities to describe these dynamics are becoming rare. Unfortunately, these patterns often are still poorly documented, yet understanding these behaviors is critical for species-specific habitat conservation and management. In our study, we tracked female northern long-eared bats (Myotis septentrionalis) to their day-roosts in a small, suburban forest fragment in coastal New York, USA, in the summers of 2018 and 2019. We confirmed that the bats shared roost sites and, using network analyses, analyzed social dynamics and space use. In contrast to previous research on this imperiled species in large, unfragmented core forests, we found a more dense, connected roost network that concentrated around forest patch edges. Unusual for this species, primary roosts were anthropogenic structures. Our findings suggest that northern long-eared bats can utilize small forest patches and that incorporation of specific types of anthropogenic roosts might be an effective strategy for long-term conservation in more urbanized landscapes where forest management actions to enhance day-roosting conditions are impractical and the risk of stochastic loss of roosts is high. PubDate: Sat, 13 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/jue/juad005 Issue No:Vol. 9, No. 1 (2023)
First page: juad003 Abstract: Feral and free-roaming domestic cats (Felis catus) are invasive predators throughout the world. In some areas, cats occur in higher densities than native mammalian predators and can have severe effects upon prey populations. We set 48 wildlife game cameras in residential yards in Arkansas, USA, to evaluate which landscape and yard features influenced cat abundance occurring in yards. In addition, we quantified the daily activity patterns of free-roaming cats and explored how habitat features or predator activity influenced the timing of cat activity. We found that cats were present in 70.8% of yards with an average of three recognizable individuals per yard. Abundance of cats was higher than all native mesopredators except for raccoon (Procyon lotor) and Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Cat abundance and minimum population decreased when forest cover was high within 400 m of the camera. Cats were active at all times of the day but tended to be more diurnal in areas closer to city centers or in agricultural settings. Conversely, cats were more nocturnal later in the summer and in areas that had high levels of predator activity. Our results indicate that cats are widespread in this region and their relative abundance is driven more by landscape features than by yard features, possibly due to their large home ranges. Cats may alter their activity to better coexist with predators. Alteration in yard features is unlikely to be an effective deterrent for cats and more direct control measures may be necessary. PubDate: Fri, 12 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/jue/juad003 Issue No:Vol. 9, No. 1 (2023)
First page: juad004 Abstract: Nature-based solutions hold promise for cities, given their development challenges and vulnerability to climate change. This research is based on the fact that knowledge of public perceptions of trees is necessary for planning tree conservation and planting initiatives in rapidly changing landscapes. This article aims to identify the assets and constraints related to the promotion of trees in the compounds of the cities of Central Benin (cities of Parakou, Dassa-Zoumè and Savalou) based on the perceptions of urban residents. Samples of 370, 365 and 360 inhabitants respectively in Parakou, Dassa-Zoumè and Savalou are used to collect information. A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis was performed on the responses obtained to identify assets (strengths and opportunities) and constraints (weaknesses and threats). The decision of the landowner, the lack of place, the lack of technicality, the socio-economic problems constitute the main constraints of the promotion of the tree in the cities of Centre-Benin. To meet the challenge, these cities have assets such as the majority proportion of landowners, the high level of education, the presence of several socio-cultural groups, the climate and favorable soils, the presence of nurserymen and the availability of seedlings, the national tree day. PubDate: Sat, 29 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/jue/juad004 Issue No:Vol. 9, No. 1 (2023)
First page: juad002 Abstract: When working with urban trees, arborists can negatively impact urban wildlife. There have been recent efforts to strengthen wildlife protection and conservation during arboricultural practices, both legislatively and voluntarily through arboriculture organizations. To examine arborists’ perceptions of these environmental policies and understand their experiences with urban wildlife, we conducted an international online survey of 805 arborists. Many respondents (n = 481, 59.8%) reported being involved in tree work that resulted in wildlife injury or death, despite most respondents reportedly modifying work plans or objectives after encountering wildlife (n = 598, 74.3%). Decisions to modify or cease work were most heavily influenced by the legal protection of species, wildlife having young, and the overall management objectives. Support for new wildlife best management practices (BMPs) was high (n = 718, 90.3%), as was awareness of wildlife and arboriculture-related legislation (n = 611, 77.2%). The findings demonstrate support amongst arborists for the implementation of wildlife policies to protect wildlife in urban forestry; however, implementation of such policies would require a non-prescriptive approach that is relevant to a diversity of wildlife concerns globally, causing concern amongst arborists about the applicability of such a document. Concerns also included the economic impacts of voluntary wildlife protection policies in arboriculture, where competitors may not adhere to industry standards or best practices. Given the support of arborists for increased wildlife protection policies, we recommend the development of international wildlife-focused BMPs for arboriculture, especially as an intermediary until legislation can be implemented or more rigorously enforced. PubDate: Mon, 10 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/jue/juad002 Issue No:Vol. 9, No. 1 (2023)
First page: juad001 Abstract: Local habitats shape animal vocalizations through selection to improve transmission of signals to receivers. This process can be variable, however, when landscapes are changing continuously due to urbanization or other factors. Studies have shown that some birds alter the frequency, amplitude and structure of their songs in urban habitats. Because songbirds learn their songs from other individuals, this cultural transmission can result in substantial change over time. Urban bird populations may therefore show rapid shifts in song form and variation may result from the combined or interacting effects of time and anthropogenic habitat change. In this study, we used historic and recent song recordings to investigate changes in spotted towhee (Pipilo maculatus) songs over 45 years across an urban-to-rural gradient in northern California. We found that pre-trill and trilled song parts covaried differently with urban development at the two time-points, with more change occurring in trill phrases than pre-trills. Additionally, we found that birds in 1970 adjusted trills in urban areas by raising maximum frequencies and broadening bandwidths, while birds in 2015 narrowed song bandwidths by decreasing maximum frequencies in more urban areas. These results did not fit our prediction that urbanization would have a consistent effect on song at two time-points. We suggest that habitat, cultural evolution and cultural drift can act on song elements in complicated ways that vary over time. PubDate: Mon, 27 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/jue/juad001 Issue No:Vol. 9, No. 1 (2023)
First page: juac030 Abstract: Assessing the effects of land use and land cover (LULC) on ecosystem service values (ESVs) is critical for public understanding and policymaking. This study evaluated the impacts of LULC dynamics on ESVs in Chandigarh city of India. The assessment of LULC changes was performed by analyzing the satellite imagery of the study area for the years 1990 and 2020 with different band combinations in ArcGIS (10.8 version software). In addition, we analyzed ecosystem services changes which were based on the LULC classes of the study area. Five LULC classes were identified in the present study area (Water bodies, forest and vegetation, built-up, agriculture and shrubland and open spaces). The results demonstrated (from 1990 to 2020) that the forest cover and agricultural areas decreased by 4.19% and 37.01%, respectively, whereas the built-up area substantially increased by 104.61%. Overall, ESV decreased by 2.54% from 1990 to 2020 due to rapid urbanization. The combination of LULC and ecosystem services valuation can increase our understanding of different issues of an urban ecosystem. Hence, we recommend the integration of LULC and ecosystem services valuation as a tool that could provide information to policymakers, urban planners and land managers for sustainable use in future. PubDate: Fri, 13 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/jue/juac030 Issue No:Vol. 9, No. 1 (2023)
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