Riparian Riparian Zone Retreat Zone Retreat and population studies and population studies of the Eastern Coyote of the Eastern Coyote Savannah Bubin, Savannah Bubin, Honors Biology 2, Honors Biology 2, Period 1. Period 1.
1. Riparian Zone Retreat and population studies of the Eastern
Coyote Savannah Bubin, Honors Biology 2, Period 1.
2.
3. Niche of the Eastern Coyote canis latrans var.
Eastern Coyotes can be found in a wide variety of habitats from
abundant forests to more open farmlands. Either way coyotes prefer
areas with plentiful amounts of herbivorous prey.
The eastern coyote can appear in the food chain as many
different things: carnivore, herbivore, and scavenger. The eastern
coyote mainly consumes small rodents, berries, insect, fruit, fish,
frogs, snakes, birds, larger mammals (dogs, cats, chickens,deer)
and sometimes livestock
The eastern coyote can hunt in packs or individually. It
usually arranges hunting times according to when its easiest to get
food. Coyotes mainly hunt in areas that can conceal them and where
prey is abundent.
4. Factors which Affect Birth Rate of Eastern Coyotes
Easten Coyotes mate in Februrary.
These coyotes mate once a year.
The gestation period is between 60-63 days.
5-7 pups are born each pregnancy.
Eastern coyotes care for their young like house dogs- they
raise their young in liters and live in packs.
The reproduction is started in February and ends in April.
5. Factors Which Affect the Death Rate of the Eastern Coyote
The eastern coyote preys on many small animals such as
chickens, deer, birds, snakes, frogs, etc. And, they are mainly
hunted by humans and a few larger mammals.
The average eastern coyote lives to be 4 years old.
They are affected by a wide variety of parasites and diseases,
including ticks, fleas, intestinal worms and heartworms.
Over-population increases the likelihood of disease amongst
eastern coyotes and creates difficult competition for food.
7. Food web of Eastern Coyote This food web includes the
Eastern Coyote and many animals involved in its predator prey
relationships. Herbivore Producer Omnivore Carnivore Carnivore
Producer Carnivore Herbivore Herbivore Omnivore Producer
8. Population Sampling Techniques
Ecologists use cluster sampling to study specific groups of a
population, they also catch then tag or mark and release animals
back into the wild so that they can be tracked or be accounted for
and looked for if another population sample occurs.
Population sampling techniques used for the eastern coyote are
very similar to catching, marking and releasing. However in many
instances population sampling also comes from the kill hunters
bring in.
9. Stream Quality Data & Analysis
In the graph we see a pristine stream.
The number of organisms in each class indicates stream quality
because organisms in Class I are not tolerable to pollution. So, to
maintain life for Class I organisms stream quality must be
good.
Good stream quality affects the eastern coyote because they
drink from streams and predator prey relationships would be
interfered with if the stream were of less quality.
If the majority of the organisms found were in class III the
stream would be very polluted. This would affect the eastern coyote
because some of its prey get their nutrients from streams. This
would throw off the predator prey relationship.
10. Water Testing Data & Analysis
A greater level of oxygen means that there is more oxygen for
organisms to breath. A high level of nitrates or phosphates is not
healthy for streams and can have harmful effects on organisms
inside the stream. Finally, the pH measures if the stream is
acidic, basic, or neutral.
The ideal range for dissolved oxygen at Powdermill is from 9-11
(we had a class average of 10.75) if the levels were outside the
ideal range organisms would have trouble breathing. Nitrate and
Phosphate levels should stay around zero. This would prevent an
over- grow of plants. Finally, pH should stay around 7 which is
neutral. In acidic or basic streams many of the organisms found at
Powdermill would be able to survive.
The eastern coyote with its habitat close to the stream would
be able to prey on animals close to streams like raccoons or
anything that would need to get water. Although, if the habitat
were closer to a marsh or mine there would be less prey for the
coyote which could decrease the population count or force them to
relocate.
Turbidity and temperature effect stream quality because colder
streams can hold more oxygen in them and streams that have poor
turbidity and are cloudy could interfere with predator prey and
clog the gills of organisms.
11. Soil Testing & Analysis
Describe the importance of pH, potash, phosphorus, &
nitrogen levels in the soil.
Describe ideal ranges of the above chemicals in the soil.
Describe how chemical levels which are out of their ideal range
can damage the ecosystem.
12. Positive and Negative Factors
The current stream at Powdermill, because it is pristine, would
have positive effects on the eastern coyote giving it a wider
selection of prey. However, the marsh and mine would lessen the
prey selection and possibly be undrinkable. This would decrease
population and make life much harder for the coyote.
Soil conditions affect plant growth which would affect
herbivores and eventually affect the eastern coyote because it
preys on herbivores.
Negative factors on the riparian zone include sources of
pollution like AMD, farmland runoff, and septic systems. These
pollute streams and interfere with drinking water and predator prey
relationships which interfere with eastern coyote habits. To
positively affect the riparian zone preserving and conserving is
the most effective. This can include planting trees, recycling, or
putting down limestone to counteract AMD. This would improve the
life of the eastern coyote and give them cleaner water.
13. Conclusion
Unfortunately, something new I learned was that most eastern
coyote population sampling is from killed coyotes.
I found stream quality interesting, especially how it affected
the eastern coyote.
I would be interested in researching ways to conserve/preserve
the environment more.
14. Works Cited
"Eastern Coyote." National Trappers Association . Chicago,
2005. CD-ROM.
O'Brien, Katie. "wildlife." New Hampshire Fish And Game
Department . N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2010. .
New York State Department Of Enviormental Conservation. Eastern
Coyote . New York, 2010. PDF file.