Food web complexity and stability in an ecosystem is determined by various factors, including the number of predators and their interactions. Coyotes (Canis latrans) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are two prominent and key predators of many North American forests. We will test if there is resource partitioning or competition occurring between coyotes and red foxes by combining fieldwork and previous data from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Nature Preserve. We will set out 10 trail cameras to collect data for 2024 in the Nature Preserve and use five previous years of data from this area to assess resource partitioning by comparing the proportion and timing of fox and coyote sightings each year. Our expected results are that there will be fewer fox captures in areas and years where there are more coyote captures, because of their size difference. This information will give us insight into the types of communities present in the Nature Preserve and help us make decisions about its management.
Coyote and red fox competition in a southeastern Wisconsin forest
Category
Student Abstract Submission