Suitability of the forest landscape for coyotes in norteastern North America and its imlpications for coexistence with other carnivores

Abstract

We compared rural and forest coyotes in northeastern North America under the hypothesis that the forest landscape represents a marginal habitat for this species. We predicted that forest coyotes would have larger home ranges and higher rates of mortality and/or emigration than rural coyotes. We also predicted that coyotes would select for open habitats in both landscapes throughout the year, and would not follow white-tailed deer in their migration to wintering areas. Forest (n = 14) and rural (n = 10) coyotes foraged over 89 and 27 km2, respectively, during the trapping season (18 October - 1 March), and over 111 and 48 km2 during the rest of the year. Annual survival rate did not vary significantly (P = 0.34) between adult forest and rural coyotes, averaging 74% and 60%, respectively; pups died at a higher rate in both landscapes (P < 0.01). All monitored coyotes died from anthropogenic factors, mostly from trapping. Forest coyotes exhibited a tendency to disperse and to make forays in the rural landscape where some died. We detected no selection for open habitats, irrespective of season or landscape, nor did coyotes show a strong preference for deer wintering areas. However, coyotes with deer wintering areas in their home ranges intensified their use of these areas when deer concentrated in them between December and April. We conclude that the forest landscape of northeastern North America possesses a low carrying capacity for coyotes even in the absence of wolves. We also conclude that eastern coyotes cannot replace gray wolves in this biome, and we speculate on the consequences of the arrival of this new predator for the conservation of other mesocarnivores.