Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve

30 Sep, 11 PM - 31 Aug, 02 AM

Organisms physiologically respond to perceived stressors in a variety of ways, including the excretion of glucocorticoid hormones (GCs) in the endocrine system. Chronic stress negatively impacts the fitness of wild animals by suppressing reproduction, reducing survival rates and altering immune response (Wingfield et al. 1998). The effects of naturally occurring environmental variables such as food shortages and predation on stress levels have been studied rather extensively, yet human activities have received less attention. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) provides an ideal site for studying this topic because it includes areas with high human densities near extremely urban areas and relatively isolated areas with little human presence. This study will use GC concentrations as a proxy for stress levels associated with level of human presence. I will quantify GCs in coyote feces across a gradient of urbanization in order to evaluate whether significant differences exist between and within populations. This study will lend insight to how coyotes perceive the urban landscape and whether the presence of humans alters their physiology.

Visit #29752 @Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 25928 | Research

Endocrine responses to human dominated landscapes in coyotes (Canis latrans)

other - University of California, Los Angeles

Reservation Members(s)

Tiffany Armenta Sep 30, 2012 - Aug 31, 2014 (701 days)
Tiffany Armenta Sep 30, 2012 - Aug 31, 2014 (701 days)

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Day Use Only 2 Sep 30, 2012 - Aug 31, 2014