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To mitigate human–wildlife conflict it is imperative to know where and when conflict occurs. However, standard methods used to predict the occurrence of human–wildlife conflict often fail to recognize how a species distribution likely limits where and when conflict may happen. As such, methods that predict human–wildlife conflict could be improved if they could identify where conflict will occur relative to species' underlying distribution. To this end, we used an integrated species distribution model that combined presence‐only wildlife complaints with data from a systematic camera trapping survey throughout Chicago, Illinois. This model draws upon both data sources to estimate a latent distribution of species; in addition, the model can estimate where conflict is most likely to occur within that distribution. We modeled the occupancy and conflict potential of coyote (Canis latrans), Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), and raccoon (Procyon lotor) as a function of urban intensity, per capita income, and home vacancy rates throughout Chicago. Overall, the distribution of each species constrained the spatiotemporal patterns of conflict throughout the city of Chicago. Within each species distribution, we found that human–wildlife conflict was most likely to occur where humans and wildlife habitat overlap (e.g., featuring higher‐than‐average canopy cover and housing density). Furthermore, human–wildlife conflict was most likely to occur in high‐income neighborhoods for Virginia opossum and raccoon, despite the fact that those two species have higher occupancy in low‐income neighborhoods. As such, knowing where species are distributed can inform guidelines on where wildlife management should be focused, especially if it overlaps with human habitats. Finally, because this integrated model can incorporate data that have already been collected by wildlife managers or city officials, this approach could be used to develop stronger collaborations with wildlife management agencies and conduct applied research that will inform landscape‐scale wildlife management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on urban wildlife can help promote coexistence and guide future interactions between humans and wildlife in developed regions, but most such investigations are limited to short‐term, single‐species studies, typically conducted within a single city. This restricted focus prevents scientists from recognizing global patterns and first principles regarding urban wildlife behavior and ecology. To overcome these limitations, we have designed a pioneering research network, the Urban Wildlife Information Network (UWIN), whereby partners collaborate across several cities to systematically collect data to populate long‐term datasets on multiple species in urban areas. Data collected via UWIN support analyses that will enable us to build basic theory related to urban wildlife ecology. An analysis of mammals in seven metropolitan regions suggests that common species are similar across cities, but relative rates of occupancy differ markedly. We ultimately view UWIN as an applied tool that can be used to connect the public to urban nature at a continental scale, and provide information critical to urban planners and landscape architects. Our network therefore has the potential to advance knowledge and to improve the ability to plan and manage cities to support biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As urban growth expands and natural environments fragment, it is essential to understand the ecological roles fulfilled by urban green spaces. To evaluate how urban green spaces function as wildlife habitat, we estimated mammal diversity and metacommunity dynamics in city parks, cemeteries, golf courses, and natural areas throughout the greater Chicago, Illinois, USA region. We found similar α-diversity (with the exception of city parks), but remarkably dissimilar communities in different urban green spaces. Additionally, the type of urban green space greatly influenced species colonization and persistence rates. For example, coyotes ( Canis latrans) had the highest, but white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus) the lowest probability of persistence in golf courses compared to other green space types. Further, most species had a difficult time colonizing city parks even when sites were seemingly available. Our results indicate that urban green spaces contribute different, but collectively important, habitats for maintaining and conserving biodiversity in cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We assess human–coyote conflicts in an urban landscape. [•] We explore the role of black-tailed prairie dog colonies in impacting conflict. [•] Rates of coyote conflict were highest near habitat fragments where prairie dogs were absent. [•] Prey availability may influence human–carnivore conflicts in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica L.) is an invasive Eurasian shrub that has success-fully invaded many of the woodlands of the northeastern United States. While the ecology and invasive properties of this species are well documented, little research has focused on buckthorn's effects on wildlife species. In this study, we surveyed 35 forest preserves and natural areas in the Chicago met-ropolitan region for the presence of buckthorn. Motion-triggered infrared cameras were used to detect mammal species in sites with and without buckthorn. Cameras were active for an average of four weeks for seven seasons during 2010 and 2011. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimm.) were more likely to be present in sites without buckthorn, while coyotes (Canis latrans Say) and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana Kerr) were more likely to be present in sites invaded with buckthorn. While there was no overall significant difference in raccoon (Procyon lotor L.) presence between the two site types, raccoons were more likely to be present in invaded sites during the spring season, a trend that was also observed for other mesocarnivores. Our results strongly suggest that the presence of invasive buckthorn impacts habitat use and the presence of wildlife species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The surrounding urban landscape is rarely considered in habitat planning for wildlife. • Noise, water, and canopy cover influenced the distribution of urban bats in Chicago. • Building height, density, and complexity had little to no influence on urban bats. • Increasing noise levels will quickly outweigh the benefits of water for bats. • Cities can provide bat-friendly habitat, especially when thoughtfully designed. Nature-based green infrastructure projects have become a common consideration in cities for the benefits they provide to humans. However, the co-benefits provided to wildlife are often assumed but not critically assessed. The value of green infrastructure for wildlife likely depends on the habitat requirements of a species and the spatial context of that habitat within the landscape. We examined the influence of both natural characteristics and those of the built environment, including noise, on bat species distribution in the Chicago, Illinois metropolitan area. Occupancy rates for four of the eight species in our study responded positively to the proximity of water sources, and three species responded negatively to increasing urban noise. When noise and water were examined in association with one another, the benefits of being adjacent to water quickly diminished as noise levels increased. These results illustrate the importance of considering both natural elements and the built environment in urban habitat design. Our findings demonstrate that cities - when carefully planned and designed - can provide important habitat for bats, a taxa of high conservation need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]