A new study by YSE researchers uses eDNA from soil samples to reveal how park size, season, and human activity affect urban mammal communities.
Yale School of the Environment researchers Nyema Harris (Knobloch Family Associate Professor of Wildlife and Land) and Jane Hallam (Postdoctoral Associate) pioneered a novel method of monitoring urban mammal communities using environmental DNA (eDNA), which captures genetic material shed by organisms into their surroundings. They aimed to track how human disturbances impact mammal communities by sampling soil from 21 parks in Detroit, Michigan. They sequenced traces of eDNA from soil to identify the presence of mammals, a method which was able to identify small mammals that conventional cameras often fail to capture. Their research was recently published in The Journal of Animal Ecology, and emphasizes that integrating eDNA into urban planning can help promote human-wildlife coexistence and preserve the benefits of urban biodiversity.
Analysis revealed that park size, seasonality, and human activity shape mammal communities. Park size, as the researchers anticipated, impacted the kind of mammals detected, with, for example, coyotes only appearing in parks larger than 14.4 hectares. The data also signaled seasonal shifts, as winter soils lacked DNA from hibernators like groundhogs. Lastly, their results demonstrated the impact of human presence, with sensitive species less frequently detected in areas of high human activity. Their research underscores the necessity of expanding urban green spaces and creating wildlife corridors in cities in order to sustain diverse and resilient urban ecosystems.
