Mammal behaviour and distribution on urban-rural gradients

The growing human population is increasingly concentrated in urban centres, which are expanding as a result. In the UK, certain wild mammals have adapted to urban environments, enriching the lives of some residents and potentially finding refuge from threats operating in rural areas; however, urban mammals can also be the source of human-wildlife conflict and can act as reservoirs for zoonotic diseases. Impacts on the behaviour, distribution and abundance of mammals can inform local planning policy but data on those impacts and, more generally, on changes in mammalian ecology along urban-rural gradients, are difficult to obtain. Here, we propose a uniquely-detailed study of mammal ecology along urban-rural gradients, working with citizens who will deploy camera traps to monitor mammalian distribution, abundance and behaviour at a fine grain. Using the data obtained, we will generate novel insights into the impacts of urbanisation on mammals, and we will work with policy-makers to ensure that the findings have real-world impact on local planning and landscape management decisions. The aims are to: (1) build on an established network of camera traps by engaging participants to deploy traps and submit data according to a rigorous protocol; (2) develop and deploy a scheme for parallel citizen camera trap monitoring using a stratified random protocol based on degree of urbanization; (3) deploy the existing MammalWeb system for public engagement in classifying the content of camera trap images; (4) determine habitat associations for occupancy by key mammal species; (5) determine behavioural changes along urban-rural gradients; (6) conduct analyses that support specific management objectives developed in conjunction with the CASE partner (DWT). The student will manage a large network of existing camera traps and will liaise with DWT members to extend that network and to enhance member engagement through results dissemination. S/he will develop a stratified random sampling design that can inform both management and questions on the ecology of mammals along urban-rural gradients. The student will analyse the existing (c. 100,000 image) and rapidly growing data base to answer ecological and management-related questions. Cutting-edge techniques to estimate occupancy and abundance will be employed, alongside model selection techniques to determine the impact or urbanisation on the temporal activity schedules (both daily and annual) of mammals.