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Data and code from: Impacts of urban heterogeneity in environmental and societal characteristics on coyote survival

Zepeda, Emily1; Sih, Andrew2; Schell, Christopher J.3; Gehrt, Stanley1

Published Feb 25, 2026 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.rfj6q57j4

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Feb 25, 2026 version files 9.78 MB

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Abstract

Survival links individual-level responses to population, community, and ecosystem dynamics. Thus, understanding species’ survival responses to environmental change in urban areas is key for gaining insights into the ecology and management of wildlife in these rapidly expanding environments. Despite existing research on the broad-scale effects of urbanization on wildlife survival, little is known about how heterogeneity within urban areas impacts survival. We assessed the role of environmental and societal characteristics known to structure the distribution of resources and risks important for urban wildlife ecology on coyote (Canis latrans) survival in the Chicago metropolitan area. We conducted a time-varying Cox proportional hazards survival analysis using the telemetry data of collared animals. We found that human population density had a positive effect on survival rate, and that at high human population densities, median income had a negative effect on survival rate. We also found evidence that animals in areas with natural habitat features (e.g. natures preserves, city parks) have higher survival rates. This study adds to the growing literature demonstrating the significance of ecological heterogeneity in wildlife responses to urbanization and highlights society’s influence on wildlife survivorship in cities.