Coyote Population report

Scenario: Your supervisor at USFWS has asked you to take a break from the new interpretive center and help with a wildlife population project. They have received data from three separate studies on a relatively new population of coyotes. While coyotes were at one point extirpated within the area, a population re-established itself in a local valley in the 1960s. After receiving the data on the studies, your supervisor has asked you to prepare a brief report summarizing the information.

Data description: Access the data on the excel spreadsheet file attached below titled “coyotedatasheet”. You will first need to download your own copy so that you can modify the data. On the bottom of the spreadsheet, you will see three tabs representing the data from the three distinct population studies.

Population data: The last complete population survey in the area was completed in 1965. During this extensive survey, 35 coyotes were calculated in the valley. Since then, USFWS scientists have checked dens each winter to count pups and collected any carcasses found throughout the year. These have been summed into five year periods and can be used to represent births and deaths within the population. The population size for each subsequent time period can be found by taking the current population, subtracting the deaths and adding the births.

eDNA results: Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a relatively new tool to study populations. Researchers can detect the presence of animals without actually having to see them by sampling the environment. A series of water samples was collected from 7 lakes in the study area. If coyotes are using those lakes for drinking water regularly, their DNA should be detected in sample (read article “Drinking water as a source of environmental DNA for the detection of terrestrial wildlife species” Drinking water as a source of environmental DNA for the detection of terrestrial wildlife species (researchgate.net). The samples were filtered and DNA was isolated and amplified using a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine. After sequencing the DNA, the fragments were compared to a database of known sequences. In the spreadsheet, you will find samples taken at each lake at various times of the year. If coyote DNA was detected in the sample, it will be listed as positive. If not, it will be listed as negative.

Scat samples: The word scat refers to fecal droppings of wild animals. Researchers collected 100 coyote scat samples in two separate seasons (50 in summer, 50 in winter). After drying, samples were analyzed for bones, hair, seeds, and other remaining fragments. Fragments were weighed and categorized by material. Percentages of the total scat material volume were calculated and are displayed in the spreadsheet along with a representative graph.
Researchers collected 100 coyote scat samples in two separate seasons (50 in summer, 50 in winter). After drying, samples were analyzed for bones, hair, seeds, and other remaining fragments. Fragments were weighed and categorized by material. Percentages of the total scat material volume were calculated and are displayed in the spreadsheet along with a representative graph. Helpful collection of scat used in assessing diet of animals: Isotopic ecology of coyotes from scat and road kill carcasses: A complementary approach to feeding experiments | PLOS ONE

Brief Report: For your assignment, you will briefly analyze each dataset and summarize major patterns in a 700-900 word written report. This report should provide the following for your supervisor:

• A neatly labeled digital graph created in Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel of population sizes versus time. Population sizes will first need to be calculated as described above.
• Description of population trends with reference to your created graph. Please include clear identification of what growth pattern is being observed (exponential, logistic, fluctuations) and one hypothesis to explain the patterns.
• Assessment of lake usage by coyotes with reference to the eDNA data.
• Summary of coyote diet with reference to the scat samples data.
• Statement of trophic level(s) occupied by the coyote with reference to the scat sample data.
• Your report should be typed and neatly organized into sections. Each bullet point (besides the graph) should be a summarized paragraph (100-200 words) with headings.

Rubric/criteria:

Report Content Graph:

-Includes a neatly, accurately labeled graph depicting population size vs time.
-Correctly calculated the data included in the graph

Report Content Description Population Data:

-Describes population trends with reference to the created graph. -Includes clear identification of what growth pattern is being observed (exponential, logistic, fluctuations)
-Hypothesizes to explain the patterns

Report Content eDNA:

-Assesses and explains lake usage by coyotes with reference to the eDNA data

Content Scat Samples:

-Summarizes coyote diet with reference to the scat samples data
-States trophic level(s) occupied by the coyote with reference to the scat sample data.

Report Format: Adheres to instructions required for format

Clarity of Communication:

-Clearly communicates written and/or spoken ideas using grammar, formatting, spelling, and terminology effective for the discipline and target audience.