Seven studies pairing real iNaturalist observations with environmental data to surface patterns useful for urban conservation.
01
Tree Canopy & Mammal Sightings
Do bobcats and coyotes prefer greener neighborhoods? Mapping observations against tree canopy coverage.
1,531
Bobcat observations
6,840
Coyote observations
34%
Avg canopy at sighting sites vs 21% countywide
Finding: Both species cluster in areas with above-average canopy. Bobcats show stronger preference (median 38%) than coyotes (26%), reflecting their greater reliance on vegetative cover for hunting.
iNaturalist research-grade observations + LARIAC7 NDVI tree canopy data
02
Pollution Burden & Bird Diversity
How does environmental quality shape which bird species can persist in a neighborhood?
589
Bird species recorded
r = −0.61
Correlation with CES score
−47%
Species loss in worst quartile
Finding: Grid cells in the worst CalEnviroScreen quartile average 47% fewer bird species. The decline steepens above the 70th percentile, suggesting a pollution threshold effect.
iNaturalist bird data + CalEnviroScreen 4.0 (OEHHA)
03
Mountain Lions & Wildlife Corridors
Are sightings concentrated near designated connectivity corridors, or dispersed across the landscape?
483
Mountain lion sightings
67%
Within 2km of a corridor
5
Key corridors identified
Finding: 67% of sightings fall within 2km of a corridor, far above the ~28% expected from random distribution. 18% occur in undesignated gaps between corridors, suggesting additional movement paths worth protecting.
iNaturalist observations + corridor data from CLAW and National Park Service
04
Coyotes & Urban Heat Islands
Do coyotes in hotter neighborhoods shift their activity to avoid the heat?
72%
Nocturnal activity in hot zones
54%
Nocturnal activity in cool zones
31%
Sightings in heat island areas
Finding: Coyotes in high heat-island zones are significantly more nocturnal. This behavioral thermoregulation means peak coyote activity in hot neighborhoods coincides with early morning pet walks, increasing conflict potential.
iNaturalist observations + CalEPA Urban Heat Island Index
05
Roadkill Hotspots & Habitat Edges
Where do roads cut through critical habitat, and which species bear the greatest cost?
78%
Incidents within 500m of habitat edge
23
Species affected
34%
From just 3 road segments
Finding: PCH through Malibu, I-5 at Castaic, and Malibu Canyon Rd account for a third of all incidents. Reptile roadkill peaks sharply in spring. Proposed crossings at Liberty Canyon would address 22% of total incidents.
California Roadkill Observation System (UC Davis) + CWHR habitat layers (CDFW)
06
Wildlife Shelter Intake & Wildfire
How quickly does fire displace wildlife into human care, and how long does recovery take?
+340%
Intake spike after major fire
45 days
Average time to return to baseline
6
Major fire events (2023–25)
Finding: Birds arrive at shelters within days; mammals show a delayed peak 2–3 weeks later as they exhaust habitat alternatives. The January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires produced the largest recorded displacement, with intake elevated for 8+ weeks.
LA County Animal Care & Control PawStats + CAL FIRE incident data
07
Light Pollution & Nocturnal Species
Which owls and bats can tolerate urban light, and which need dark skies?
5,944
Owl observations
202
Bat observations
r = −0.54
Density vs. light correlation
Finding: Great Horned Owls tolerate light well, while Burrowing Owls and Canyon Bats cluster in dark areas. Barn Owls are an exception—common in lit suburbs, likely drawn by rodent prey near buildings.
iNaturalist observations + VIIRS nighttime light data (NOAA)