Discussion
Using a gradient of human modification within two study sites, we aimed
to better understand how landcover types and intensity of human
modification affect mesocarnivore movement behaviors both spatially and
temporally, and where these behavioral responses can be found along the
generic-to-nuanced gradient of response complexity. As hypothesized, we
found drastic differences between bobcats and coyotes in the degree of
complexity in their responses to human modification. While differences
in wildlife species’ response to human activity has been studied before
(e.g., Frey et al. 2020), our work characterized specific responses to
anthropogenic disturbances based on a variety of behaviors across
spatial and temporal contexts. Generic bobcat responses included larger
home ranges with increased human modification and weak selection
responses to agriculture, exurban areas, and human modification. Bobcats
also displayed functional responses in their resource selection choices
that were relatively temporally consistent. In contrast, coyote nuanced
responses included home range sizes that were unaffected by human
modification, but displayed stronger avoidance of agriculture, exurban
areas, and human modification than bobcats, indicating more fine-scale
avoidance behaviors within the home range. Coyote resource selection
functional responses were more nuanced, temporally-dependent, and
sometimes changed direction depending on the amount of human
modification. Our work provides evidence that species inhabiting the
same landscape, and even filling a similar trophic role, can vary widely
in the degree of nuance in their behavioral response to their
environment. Specifically, our work shows the importance of
investigating spatial and temporal variation in habitat selection and
functional responses to better understand the complexity in how
extrinsic factors shape wildlife behavior.