Using citizen science to understand and map habitat suitability for a synurbic mammal in an urban landscape: the hedgehog <i>Erinaceus europaeus</i>

Urban environments are important for west European hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus. The species has been recorded in 73% of large urban areas throughout its geographic range. However, the environmental relationships determining hedgehog distribution within these landscapes not well understood. Taking a city-wide perspective, this study identifies hedgehogs’ habitat with characteristics and predicts suitability major centre, Greater London, UK. We use collated citizen science dataset 3012 occurrence records from pseudoabsences inferred other mammal taxa, to construct multiscale generalised linear model identifying influence 10 variables representing greenspace, built infrastructure, presence badger Meles meles (as predator or competitor) on distribution. find positive association availability gardens, parks, allotments, percentage terraced housing, traffic, intermediate impervious cover (roads buildings, peaking at 31%). High cover, woodland, water, human densities (above 2262 people km−2), were negatively related presence. Predicted was high across much London but declined towards centre some locations around outskirts region. Our results emphasise importance public private greenspaces hedgehogs, suggest that loss garden, park, allotment habitats disturbance associated may restrict Despite inherent complexity environments, shows is useful developing an understanding large-scale species–habitat diverse landscapes.