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. 2021 Feb:254:108953.
doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.108953. Epub 2021 Jan 5.

iNaturalist insights illuminate COVID-19 effects on large mammals in urban centers

Reut Vardi  1 , Oded Berger-Tal  2 , Uri Roll  2
Affiliations

iNaturalist insights illuminate COVID-19 effects on large mammals in urban centers

Reut Vardi et al. Biol Conserv.2021 Feb.

Abstract

Restricted human activity during the COVID-19 pandemic raised global attention to the presence of wildlife in cities. Here, we analyzed iNaturalist observations of prominent wildlife species around North-American urban centers, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. We suggest that the popular notion of 'wildlife reclaiming cities' may have been exaggerated. We found that while pumas ventured deeper into urban habitats during the COVID-19 pandemic, bears, bobcats, coyotes, and moose did not. Species differential behavioral responses may highlight their evolutionary history cohabiting human habitats. Nevertheless, our results highlight the importance of urban nature for people during the pandemic. Our insights could help manage urban wildlife, better plan greenspaces, and promote positive nature engagements.

Keywords: Anthropause; Culturomics; Human-nature interactions; Urban wildlife; iNaturalist.

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Conflict of interest statement

There is no conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Random forest model results comparing iNatualist observations during the COVID-19 pandemic in previously sighted areas and new ones. (a) The relative importance (% mean decrease accuracy) for all predictors (night light, county median household income, NDVI values, distance to road, mobility to workplaces, and mobility in residential areas). (b–f) Partial dependence plots for the abovementioned predictors showing the probability to find observations in new areas across the value-range of each predictor (mean(logit(probabilitynew areas)/2)).
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