DOI: 10.5061/dryad.g4f4qrg2b
title: Changes in utilization of canal crossing structures by desert mammal communities during the COVID-19 lockdown

description: Wildlife crossing structures (WCSs) are widely adopted for alleviating the
 negative impacts caused by anthropogenic linear infrastructures (ALIs).
 However, research on canal WCSs in desert environments remains scarce,
 particularly regarding how anthropogenic disturbance influences their
 utilization by desert mammals. Using long-term camera trap monitoring data
 from northern Xinjiang, China, we examined the dynamics of desert mammals
 in utilizing canal WCSs. Leveraging the quasi-experimental conditions
 created by COVID-19, we investigated the changes in encounter rates,
 activity patterns and potential predator-prey interactions before, during,
 and after the lockdown. Focusing on four focal species (Red fox Vulpes
 vulpes, Goitered gazelle Gazella
 subgutturosa, Gray wolf Canis lupus, and Tolai
 hare Lepus tolai), we observed annual activity
 periodicity and increased encounter rates during lockdown. Activity
 patterns shifted in species-specific ways, influenced by diel phenotypes.
 Predator-prey interaction was further complicated by changes in
 anthropogenic disturbance. Our findings highlight how local environment
 and species traits jointly shape wildlife responses to anthropogenic
 disturbance. Species-specific reactions during the pandemic were
 influenced by tolerance to anthropogenic disturbance, reflected by
 functional traits and population status. Changes in predator-prey
 interaction like more distinct avoidance behaviours can exacerbate the
 system’s instability, further underscore the importance of minimizing
 human impact.  Practical implication. Our research represents a
 pioneering effort in understanding the impacts of COVID-19 lockdown on
 wildlife utilization of canal WCSs. The
 findings may guide ecological
 conservation efforts and inform effective WCSs
 construction in arid regions. We recommend implementing vehicle
 management measures and enhancing structural complexity to alleviate the
 negative impacts of anthropogenic disturbances and improve WCSs
 performance.
description: # Changes in utilization of canal crossing structures by desert mammal
 communities during the COVID-19 lockdown Dataset DOI:
 [10.5061/dryad.g4f4qrg2b](10.5061/dryad.g4f4qrg2b) ## Description of the
 data and file structure The dataset consists of camera trap observations
 collected from August 2018 to December 2023 at 13 canal wildlife crossing
 structures (WCSs) in northern Xinjiang, China, using 15 camera traps. It
 includes independent event records of all observed mammal species and
 anthropogenic disturbance (i.e., human and livestock) along with datetime,
 type, species, location (longitude, latitude), width, and pandemic stage
 (i.e., pre-COVID-19 period, COVID-19 period, and post-COVID-19 period).
 This dataset enables the analysis of changes in encounter rates, activity
 patterns, and predator-prey dynamics in relation to anthropogenic
 disturbances, particularly during the varying stages of the COVID-19
 lockdown. ### Files and variables #### File: data.csv **Description:** 
 ##### Variables * file: The file number of camera trap detection. *
 camera: The specific WCSs of camera trap detection. * date: The date of
 camera trap detection. * time: The time of camera trap detection. *
 year: The year of camera trap detection. * datetime: The datetime of
 camera trap detection. * type: The type of camera-trap detection,
 including mammal, human and livestock. * species: The specific species
 name of the camera trap detection. * pandemic stage: The specific period
 of COVID-19, including COVID-19 period (pre-CP), COVID-19 period (CP) and
 post-COVID-19 (post-CP). * longitude: The longitude of WCSs. * latitude:
 The latitude of WCSs. * width: The width of WCSs (unit: meters). ##
 Code/software The Excel will be accessible to view the data.