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Journal articles on the topic 'Habitat modelling'
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1
Bekkby, Trine, and Martin Isæus. "Mapping large, shallow inlets and bays: modelling a Natura 2000 habitat with digital terrain and wave-exposure models." ICES Journal of Marine Science 65, no. 2 (March 1, 2008): 238–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsn005.
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Abstract Bekkby, T., and Isæus, M. 2008. Mapping large, shallow inlets and bays: modelling a Natura 2000 habitat with digital terrain and wave-exposure models. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 238–241. EU member countries are obliged to protect a certain share of Natura 2000 habitats. Hence, these habitats must be mapped. This paper is an attempt to provide a tool for modelling one of the Natura 2000 habitat, the “large shallow inlets and bays” (Natura 2000 habitat 1160), using a Norwegian archipelagic area as a case study. The Natura 2000 definition of the habitat is interpreted into criteria used for modelling, and a spatial prediction is presented on a map. The effect of scale, regarding both spatial resolution of data and methodology, is also tested. This is the first publicly accessible attempt to model the Natura 2000 habitat. It shows that the result of the modelling depends on the spatial resolution of the data and the methods used in the modelling process. Using data at a 10-m and a 25-m resolution provides good results, and even the model based on the 50-m data provided an acceptable overall picture.
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Parasiewicz, P., and M. J. Dunbar. "Physical habitat modelling for fish - a developing approach." River Systems 12, no. 2-4 (February 12, 2001): 239–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1127/lr/12/2001/239.
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Foley, Naomi S., Claire W. Armstrong, Viktoria Kahui, Eirik Mikkelsen, and Siv Reithe. "A Review of Bioeconomic Modelling of Habitat-Fisheries Interactions." International Journal of Ecology 2012 (2012): 1–11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/861635.
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This paper reviews the bioeconomic literature on habitat-fisheries connections. Many such connections have been explored in the bioeconomic literature; however, missing from the literature is an analysis merging the potential influences of habitat on both fish stocks and fisheries into one general, overarching theoretical model. We attempt to clarify the nature of linkages between the function of habitats and the economic activities they support. More specifically, we identify theoretically the ways that habitat may enter the standard Gordon-Schaefer model, and nest these interactions in the general model. Habitat influences are defined as either biophysical or bioeconomic. Biophysical effects relate to the functional role of habitat in the growth of the fish stock and may be either essential or facultative to the species. Bioeconomic interactions relate to the effect of habitat on fisheries and can be shown through either the harvest function or the profit function. We review how habitat loss can affect stock, effort, and harvest under open access and maximum economic yield managed fisheries.
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Morris, Liz, and David Ball. "Habitat suitability modelling of economically important fish species with commercial fisheries data." ICES Journal of Marine Science 63, no. 9 (January 1, 2006): 1590–603. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.icesjms.2006.06.008.
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Abstract In this study we used catch and effort data from a commercial fishery to generate habitat suitability models for Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia. Species modelled were King George whiting (Sillaginodes punctata), greenback flounder (Rhombosolea tapirina), Australian salmon (Arripis trutta and A. truttaceus), and snapper (Pagrus auratus). Locations of commercial catches were reported through a grid system of fishing blocks. Spatial analyses in a Geographic Information System (GIS) were applied to describe each fishing block by its habitat area. A multivariate approach was adopted to group each fishing block by its dominant habitats. Standardized catch per unit effort values were overlaid on these groups to identify those that returned high or low catches for each species. A simple set of rules was then devised to predict the habitat suitability for each habitat combination in a fishing block. The spatial distribution of these habitats was presented in a GIS. These habitat suitability models were consistent with existing anecdotal information and expert opinion. While the models require testing, we have shown that in the absence of adequate fishery-independent data, commercial catch and effort data can be used to produce habitat suitability models at a bay-wide scale.
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DeLancey, Evan R., Brian Brisco, Logan J. T. McLeod, Richard Hedley, Erin M. Bayne, Kevin Murnaghan, Fiona Gregory, and Jahan Kariyeva. "Modelling, Characterizing, and Monitoring Boreal Forest Wetland Bird Habitat with RADARSAT-2 and Landsat-8 Data." Water 13, no. 17 (August 25, 2021): 2327. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/w13172327.
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Earth observation technologies have strong potential to help map and monitor wildlife habitats. Yellow Rail, a rare wetland obligate bird species, is a species of concern in Canada and provides an interesting case study for monitoring wetland habitat with Earth observation data. Yellow Rail has highly specific habitat requirements characterized by shallowly flooded graminoid vegetation, the availability of which varies seasonally and year-to-year. Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) in combination with optical data should, in theory, be a great resource for mapping and monitoring these habitats. This study evaluates the use of RADARSAT-2 data and Landsat-8 data to characterize, map, and monitor Yellow Rail habitat in a wetland area within the mineable oil sands region. Specifically, we investigate: (1) The relative importance of polarimetric SAR and Landsat-8 data for predicting Yellow Rail habitat; (2) characterization of wetland habitat with polarimetric SAR data; (3) yearly trends in available habitat; and (4) predictions of potentially suitable habitat across northeastern Alberta. Results show that polarimetric SAR using the Freeman–Durden decomposition and polarization ratios were the most important predictors when modeling the Yellow Rail habitat. These parameters also effectively characterize this habitat based on high congruence with existing descriptions of suitable habitat. Applying the prediction model across all wetland areas showed accurate predictions of occurrence (validated on field occurrence data), and high probability habitats were constrained to very specific wetland areas. Using the RADARSAT-2 data to monitor yearly changes to Yellow Rail habitat was inconclusive, likely due to the different image acquisition times of the 2014 and 2016 images, which may have captured seasonal, rather than inter-annual, wetland dynamics. Polarimetric SAR has proved to be very useful for capturing the specific hydrology and vegetation structure of the Yellow Rail habitat, which could be a powerful technology for monitoring and conserving wetland species habitat.
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Sullivan, B. J., G. S. Baxter, and A. T. Lisle. "Low-density koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in the mulgalands of south-west Queensland. III. Broad-scale patterns of habitat use." Wildlife Research 30, no. 6 (2003): 583. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr02036.
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To date there have been few quantitative studies of the distribution of, and relative habitat utilisation by, koalas in the mulgalands of Queensland. To examine these parameters we applied habitat-accessibility and relative habitat-utilisation indices to estimates of faecal pellet density sampled at 149 sites across the region. Modelling the presence of pellets using logistic regression showed that the potential range of accessible habitats and relative habitat use varied greatly across the region, with rainfall being probably the most important determinant of distribution. Within that distribution, landform and rainfall were both important factors affecting habitat preference. Modelling revealed vastly different probabilities of finding a pellet under trees depending on the tree species, canopy size, and location within the region.
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Lauria, Valentina, Sandrine Vaz, Corinne S. Martin, Steve Mackinson, and André Carpentier. "What influences European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) distribution in the eastern English Channel? Using habitat modelling and GIS to predict habitat utilization." ICES Journal of Marine Science 68, no. 7 (June 6, 2011): 1500–1510. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsr081.
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Abstract Lauria, V., Vaz, S., Martin, C. S., Mackinson, S., and Carpentier, A. 2011. What influences European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) distribution in the eastern English Channel? Using habitat modelling and GIS to predict habitat utilization. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 1500–1510. Conservation of fish habitat requires knowledge of how spatial distributions of species are related to environmental factors. Habitat modelling and mapping are useful in predicting species–environment relationships. Species abundance is modelled as a function of environmental parameters to understand species habitat utilization better. The influence of environmental factors on plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) distribution was investigated for two life stages and over two seasons. Generalized linear modelling and quantile regression modelling were used to relate the relative abundance of (juvenile and adult) fish to environmental predictors (seawater temperature, salinity, water column depth, bed-shear stress, and sediment type) in autumn and summer. The resulting regression parameters were used to map preferential and potential habitat distributions within a geographic information system. Models were evaluated by comparing predicted against observed abundances. Seabed sediment type was the main significant predictor of plaice preferential and potential habitats, whereas other factors did not show such a clear influence. The results contribute to a better understanding of the spatial ecology of the species.
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Valjavec, Mateja Breg, Rok Ciglič, Krištof Oštir, and Daniela Ribeiro. "Modelling habitats in karst landscape by integrating remote sensing and topography data." Open Geosciences 10, no. 1 (June 11, 2018): 137–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/geo-2018-0011.
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Abstract Field mapping is an accurate but also time consuming method of detailed mapping of habitat types. Levels of habitat types are usually hierarchically nested at several levels. Our main research question therefore is: ‘How detailed can be modelling of habitat types with decision trees and digital data in karst landscape?’ Similar to studies in other (non-karst) environments we explored the basic properties of the habitats in Dinaric Karst study region (Classical Karst in Southwest Slovenia) and tested modelling of habitat types at three different levels of detail. To seek for the best set of predictor variables we used Rapid-Eye satellite images, airborne images and digital elevation model. We prepared more than 60 explanatory variables and divided habitat polygons into training and testing samples to validate the results. The results proved that modelling with decision trees in Dinaric Karst landscape does not result in high accuracy at high detailed levels. Due to the presence of mine fields in the large area of Dinaric Karst (e.g. in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina) the field mapping in this area is difficult therefore the findings from this study can be used for further development of mapping through remote sensing.
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Vilizzi, L. "Modelling preference curves for the study of fish habitat use." Fundamental and Applied Limnology 155, no. 4 (December 9, 2002): 615–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1127/archiv-hydrobiol/155/2002/615.
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McLeod, S. R., and A. R. Pople. "Modelling the distribution and relative abundance of feral camels in the Northern Territory using count data." Rangeland Journal 32, no. 1 (2010): 21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj09057.
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The objectives of this study were to predict the potential distribution, relative abundance and probability of habitat use by feral camels in southern Northern Territory. Aerial survey data were used to model habitat association. The characteristics of ‘used’ (where camels were observed) v. ‘unused’ (pseudo-absence) sites were compared. Habitat association and abundance were modelled using generalised additive model (GAM) methods. The models predicted habitat suitability and the relative abundance of camels in southern Northern Territory. The habitat suitability maps derived in the present study indicate that camels have suitable habitat in most areas of southern Northern Territory. The index of abundance model identified areas of relatively high camel abundance. Identifying preferred habitats and areas of high abundance can help focus control efforts.
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Seitz, Rochelle D. "Value of coastal habitats for exploited species: introduction to a theme set of articles." ICES Journal of Marine Science 71, no. 3 (March 2014): 636–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fst180.
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Abstract Many exploited fish and invertebrate species use coastal habitats during one or more life-history stages as spawning, feeding, and nursery areas; yet, the value of these habitats has not been adequately characterized. As habitat availability can be a bottleneck for many populations, concerns about habitat effects on exploited species have been increasing. We have compiled nine articles presenting the state of knowledge and future research priorities regarding the importance of habitat for exploited species. Reviews from European habitats and several geographical locations throughout the United States demonstrate the influence of coastal habitats on survival, growth, and movement, especially during the early life-history stages, in a wide variety of species, spatial scales, and habitats. Moreover, many of these species contribute substantially to commercial landings, highlighting the importance of coastal habitats to population persistence and fishery yields. Management of fishery species can also be enhanced through modelling efforts incorporating habitat. Finally, there is a need for more effort in quantifying population demographics rates, creating comprehensive habitat maps, and developing better census techniques for complex hard bottom habitats; thus, future work is needed on the value of coastal habitats for exploited species.
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Sarma, Bhaskar, and Bhaben Tanti. "Ecological niche modeling for reintroduction and conservation of Aristolochia cathcartii Hook.f. & Thomson (Aristolochiaceae), a threatened endemic plant in Assam, India." Journal of Threatened Taxa 14, no. 2 (February 26, 2022): 20597–605. http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/jott.6999.14.2.20597-20605.
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Aristolochia cathcartii Hook.f. & Thomson is a medicinal plant species native to Assam (India). Karbi people have traditionally used the plant to treat a variety of ailments. The population stock of this species has been rapidly depleting in its natural habitats due to over-utilization, habitat fragmentation, and other anthropogenic activities. Extensive field surveys were carried out to investigate the population status of A. cathcartii in various forest areas of Assam’s Karbi Anglong district. In 20 km of transects, a total of 36 quadrats were observed. A. cathcartii density, frequency of occurrence, and abundance were recorded to be 0.65, 17.8, and 3.81, respectively. Ecological niche modelling was used to identify suitable habitat for the reintroduction and conservation of this plant in Assam in order to prevent its extinction in the future. The maximum entropy distribution modelling algorithm was used to identify suitable areas and habitat for the species’ reintroduction and conservation. Primary data on the occurrence of A. cathcartii was gathered from the natural habitat of Karbi Anglong district, Assam, for modelling. The model identified various forest areas in northeastern India that have suitable climatic conditions for plant reinforcement.
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Bult, Tammo P., Stephen C. Riley, Richard L. Haedrich, R. John Gibson, and Jan Heggenes. "Density-dependent habitat selection by juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in experimental riverine habitats." Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 56, no. 7 (July 1, 1999): 1298–306. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f99-074.
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We investigated habitat use of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr in experimental riverine enclosures made up of pool, riffle, and run habitats over a range of densities (0.1-1.25 fish·m-2) to test the implicit assumption in habitat modelling that habitat selection does not change with population density. Results indicated that habitat use changed with population density, with relatively more parr in pools and fewer in runs at higher population densities. Temperature influenced parr distribution, with relatively more parr in runs and fewer in riffles and pools at higher temperatures. Parr distribution was primarily affected by hydromorphological differences among pool, riffle, and run habitats. Effects of population density and temperature on use of pool, riffle, and run habitats were often as large as effects of hydromorphological differences among pool, riffle, and run habitats on fish distributions over the range of temperatures and densities observed. Results varied considerably, despite controlled experimental conditions. We concluded that habitat selection by juvenile Atlantic salmon parr may be density dependent and potentially quite variable.
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Sittaro, Fabian, Christopher Hutengs, Sebastian Semella, and Michael Vohland. "A Machine Learning Framework for the Classification of Natura 2000 Habitat Types at Large Spatial Scales Using MODIS Surface Reflectance Data." Remote Sensing 14, no. 4 (February 10, 2022): 823. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs14040823.
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Anthropogenic climate and land use change is causing rapid shifts in the distribution and composition of habitats with profound impacts on ecosystem biodiversity. The sustainable management of ecosystems requires monitoring programmes capable of detecting shifts in habitat distribution and composition at large spatial scales. Remote sensing observations facilitate such efforts as they enable cost-efficient modelling approaches that utilize publicly available datasets and can assess the status of habitats over extended periods of time. In this study, we introduce a modelling framework for habitat monitoring in Germany using readily available MODIS surface reflectance data. We developed supervised classification models that allocate (semi-)natural areas to one of 18 classes based on their similarity to Natura 2000 habitat types. Three machine learning classifiers, i.e., Support Vector Machines (SVM), Random Forests (RF), and C5.0, and an ensemble approach were employed to predict habitat type using spectral signatures from MODIS in the visible-to-near-infrared and short-wave infrared. The models were trained on homogenous Special Areas of Conservation that are predominantly covered by a single habitat type with reference data from 2013, 2014, and 2016 and tested against ground truth data from 2010 and 2019 for independent model validation. Individually, the SVM and RF methods achieved better overall classification accuracies (SVM: 0.72–0.93%, RF: 0.72–0.94%) than the C5.0 algorithm (0.66–0.93%), while the ensemble classifier developed from the individual models gave the best performance with overall accuracies of 94.23% for 2010 and 80.34% for 2019 and also allowed a robust detection of non-classifiable pixels. We detected strong variability in the cover of individual habitat types, which were reduced when aggregated based on their similarity. Our methodology is capable to provide quantitative information on the spatial distribution of habitats, differentiate between disturbance events and gradual shifts in ecosystem composition, and could successfully allocate natural areas to Natura 2000 habitat types.
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Choi, Byungwoong, and Seung Se Choi. "Integrated Hydraulic Modelling, Water Quality Modelling and Habitat Assessment for Sustainable Water Management: A Case Study of the Anyang-Cheon Stream, Korea." Sustainability 13, no. 8 (April 13, 2021): 4330. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13084330.
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Recent ecological stream restoration projects have focused on expanding the water-friendly space of streams, promoting the health of aquatic ecosystems, and restoring various habitats, which raise the need for relevant research. Applying integrated environmental analysis, this study quantifies the change in hydraulic characteristics before and after the restoration projects through physical habitat simulation and links the results of physical impacts to estimate benefits of increase in water quality and aquatic ecosystem health due to the implementation of the project. For this, the study area is a 3.3 km long reach of the Anyang-cheon Stream, Korea. Field monitoring revealed that five fish species are dominant and sub-dominant, and account for 76% of the total fish community. To assess the change of before and after ecological stream restoration project, the River2D and Coastal Modelling System (CMS)-Flow 2D models were used for hydraulic and water quality simulations, respectively. For the habitat simulation, the HSI (Habitat Suitability Index) model was used. In addition, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI) was used to calculate changes in water quality index and to examine changes in habitat areas with an integrated quantitative index, the methodology of Zingraff-Hamed et al. was adopted. It was found that the ecological stream restoration project significantly increased for the eco-friendly area. In addition, the changes in water quality and habitat suitability grades before the ecological river restoration project were improved to two stages and one stage, respectively. This study applied the integrated analytical framework as a policy/project assessment tool and the results of this study will be useful for the integrated water management policy.
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Hirzel, Alexandre H., and Gwenaëlle Le Lay. "Habitat suitability modelling and niche theory." Journal of Applied Ecology 45, no. 5 (October 2008): 1372–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2008.01524.x.
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Kushwaha, S. P. S., S. Munkhtuya, and P. S. Roy. "Geospatial modelling for goral habitat evaluation." Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing 28, no. 4 (December 2000): 293–303. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf02990819.
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Meza Mori, Gerson, Elgar Barboza Castillo, Cristóbal Torres Guzmán, Dany A. Cotrina Sánchez, Betty K. Guzman Valqui, Manuel Oliva, Subhajit Bandopadhyay, Rolando Salas López, and Nilton B. Rojas Briceño. "Predictive Modelling of Current and Future Potential Distribution of the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) in Amazonas, Northeast Peru." Animals 10, no. 10 (October 6, 2020): 1816. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani10101816.
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The spectacled, or Andean, bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN due to climate change and human-induced habitat fragmentation. There is an urgent need for the conservation of spectacled bear at real time. However, the lack of knowledge about the distribution of this species is considered as one of the major limitations for decision-making and sustainable conservation. In this study, 92 geo-referenced records of the spectacled bear, 12 environmental variables and the MaxEnt entropy modelling have been used for predictive modelling for the current and future (2050 and 2070) potential distribution of the spectacled bear in Amazonas, northeastern Peru. The areas of “high”, “moderate” and “low” potential habitat under current conditions cover 1.99% (836.22 km2), 14.46% (6081.88 km2) and 20.73% (8718.98 km2) of the Amazon, respectively. “High” potential habitat will increase under all climate change scenarios, while “moderate” and “low” potential habitat, as well as total habitat, will decrease over the time. The “moderate”, “low” and total potential habitat are distributed mainly in Yunga montane forest, combined grasslands/rangelands and secondary vegetation and Yunga altimontane (rain) forest, while “high” potential habitat is also concentrated in the Jalca. The overall outcome showed that the most of the important habitats of the spectacled bear are not part of the protected natural areas of Amazonas, under current as well as under future scenarios.
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Alfredsen, Knut, Peter Borsanyi, Atle Harby, Hans-Petter Fjeldstad, and Sten-Enok Wersland. "Application of habitat modelling in river rehabilitation and artificial habitat design." Hydroécologie Appliquée 14 (2004): 105–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/hydro:2004007.
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Lawing, A. Michelle, Jesse M. Meik, and P. David Polly. "Climate and Competition Shape Species' Borders: A Study of the Panamint (Crotalus stephensi) and Speckled (Crotalus mitchellii) Rattlesnakes." ISRN Zoology 2012 (March 4, 2012): 1–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.5402/2012/528745.
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We used ecological niche modelling to study the relative roles of climate and interspecific interactions in defining the parapatric contact between closely related species (Crotalus mitchellii and C. stephensi) and to predict refugia during the last glacial maximum. The modelled suitable habitat for C. stephensi correctly predicts the existing parapatric border between it and C. mitchellii, suggesting that C. stephensi's range at the border is limited by climatic factors. In contrast, the suitable habitat for C. mitchellii does not correctly predict the existing parapatric boundary; rather the suitable habitat of this species extends into the range of C. stephensi, suggesting the latter species, not climatic factors, limit the range of C. mitchellii. Modelled refugia of C. stephensi are much smaller than modern suitable habitat and are partially situated at the current parapatric border, whereas the refugia of C. mitchellii are similar to its current suitable habitat, though also shifted to the south. Ecological niche modelling appears to be a useful tool for studying the interplay between climate and competition in determining boundaries between parapatric species. It also appears to be useful for predicting past suitable habitats of species, because predicted refugia are congruent with independent estimates from molecular phylogeography.
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Suska, Katarzyna, and Piotr Parasiewicz. "Application of the Mesohabitat Simulation System (MesoHABSIM) for Assessing Impact of River Maintenance and Restoration Measures." Water 12, no. 12 (November 30, 2020): 3356. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/w12123356.
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Maintenance and restoration activities alter the river morphology and hydrology, and in consequence, alter fish habitats. The aim of this research was to investigate the change of habitat availability for fish guilds after carrying out maintenance works, commonly used river restoration measures and a restoration derived from fish habitat requirements. The selected study site is located at a close to natural condition section of Swider River in central Poland. The MesoHABSIM model was used to assess the area of suitable habitats in this site and predict habitat distribution at all planning scenarios. The affinity index which is a measure of similarity of two distributions showed that the likely distribution of habitats for fish resulting from simulated maintenance is 76.5% similar to that under measured conditions. The distribution of habitats caused by river restoration is also similar to that of the baseline in 73.2%. The resemblance between the restoration scenario focusing on fish habitat requirements and the reference conditions is 93.1%. It is beneficial to define the river restoration measures based on habitat availability for fish community. Modelling is a useful tool to simulate the changes and predict which guilds there is abundance of suitable habitats, and for which there are too few. It allows for more effective use of resources according to quantitative target states.
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Srivastava, Amber. "Predicting habitat suitability of Selaginella adunca A.Br. ex Hieron., an endangered and endemic fern-allies of Western Himalaya." Tropical Plant Research 7, no. 3 (December 31, 2020): 547–52. http://dx.doi.org/10.22271/tpr.2020.v7.i3.067.
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Selaginella adunca is a quite distinct and rare species of Selaginella found in Western Himalaya. This species is reported only from few populations occurring in India and Nepal. Since most of its reported habitats are under anthropogenic pressure, therefore for proper conservation of this species it is necessary to mark the suitable habitat for its conservation and reintroduction. The present study was aimed to find out the suitable habitat of this species through ecological niche modelling (ENM) technique using Maxent model. This will also help in relocating the species in other preferred habitat type and its reintroduction as well.
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VACCHI, M., M. MONTEFALCONE, V. PARRAVICINI, A. ROVERE, P. VASSALLO, M. FERRARI, C. MORRI, and C. N. BIANCHI. "Spatial models to support the management of coastal marine ecosystems: a short review of the best practices in Liguria, Italy." Mediterranean Marine Science 15, no. 1 (November 4, 2013): 189. http://dx.doi.org/10.12681/mms.535.
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Spatial modelling is an emerging approach to the management of coastal marine habitats, as it helps understanding and predicting the results of global change. This paper reviews critically two recent examples developed in Liguria, an administrative region of NW Italy. The first example, aiming at predicting habitat status depending on pressures, provides managers with the opportunity of envisaging different scenarios for the consequences of coastal development choices. The second example defines the status of an important Mediterranean coastal marine habitat (Posidonia oceanica meadows) under natural conditions, allowing for quantifying human impacts on regressed meadows. Both modelling approaches are useful to define the targets of coastal management, and may help choosing the best management option. Well-planned and sustained monitoring is essential to model validation and improvement.
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M., HUBMANN, and SCHLETTERER M. "Development of a habitat preference curve for the mayfly Baetis alpinus (Pictet 1843)." Zoosymposia 11 (November 18, 2016): 65–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zoosymposia.11.1.10.
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Habitat modelling provides a quantitative tool to predict scenarios in order to implement conservation measures and is therefore recognised as an effective method for managing running waters. Combining abiotic characteristics (e.g. substrate) and the results of hydraulic models (most commonly water depth and depth-averaged velocity), habitat models can be applied. Different models are available (e.g. CASiMiR, PHABSIM), all of which require preference (or suitability) curves for the species of interest. Choosing a species for habitat modelling requires sound knowledge of its ecology and distribution. The mayfly Baetis alpinus is a widespread and abundant alpine species and therefore a useful indicator species in the context of habitat modelling. Based on abiotic factors and abundance of the species, preference curves were established using polynomial regression. We present the sampling design and data processing for the establishment of a preference curve for the mayfly Baetis alpinus, including a review of its ecology. The application in habitat modelling is exemplified and discussed. Especially for high alpine environments, where fish are absent, the use of macroinvertebrates in habitat modelling enables to make comparable analyses of different flow rates.
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JHA, Radhika, Amita KANAUJIA, and Kaushalendra Kumar JHA. "Wintering habitat modelling for conservation of Eurasian vultures in northern India." Nova Geodesia 2, no. 1 (March 5, 2022): 22. http://dx.doi.org/10.55779/ng2122.
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Eurasian Black Vulture (EBV) and Eurasian Griffon Vulture (EGV), while residents elsewhere, winter in Uttar Pradesh, India. Knowledge of the habitat and regulating factors is obligatory for protection and better management of these vultures. Therefore, different types of habitats were mapped using eight species distribution models. Presence records from field survey, published data and citizen science, and 23 bioenvironmental raster layers were the model inputs. Eighteen models were developed whose strength varied greatly. As per the performance indicators, GBM and GLM were found to be superior models for EGV. For EBV all models were acceptable. MARS, with good model strength, was rejected on the grounds of field verification. However, the Ensemble model, overall, was found the best. As per this model, good habitat was restricted mostly in the Tarai ecozone. The top two vital variables were NDVI, and bio13 for both the vultures. The most vital temperature variable for EGV was bio08 while bio09 for EBV. Tarai ecozone showed the largest expanse of suitable area for both the vultures followed by Vindhyan-Bundelkhand, Gangetic plains and Semi-arid ecozones. Among the two, EBV (49000 km2) had more suitable area than EGV (37000 km2). Agricultural areas were found to be largely unsuitable. As per land cover, good habitat was mostly confined in forests. For better management of these wintering vultures which need only roosting and foraging, it is proposed that destruction of forested habitat and decrease in foraging materials needed immediate attention and control.
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Ntshane and Gambiza. "Habitat assessment for ecosystem services in South Africa." International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management 12, no. 4 (October 1, 2016): 242–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21513732.2016.1217935.
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Biodiversity is the foundation of life-support systems on earth and underpins the delivery of ecosystem services (ES) important for human well-being. The loss of biodiversity worldwide, however, remains one of the most daunting challenges. Among the major causes of biodiversity loss is habitat loss due to transformation of land to agricultural, mining and urban areas. We applied the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) biodiversity modelling tool to assess the condition of habitats to support the delivery of ES in a biosphere reserve (BR) in South Africa. Results indicated that 72% of the surveyed habitats were of high quality to provide the necessary services. However, some of the habitats were found to be affected by threats as follows: low (0–20%) to moderate (20–32%) habitat loss was recorded in habitats adjacent to mining and plantation areas, and high (32–56%) to severe (56–95%) habitat loss was recorded in habitats in close proximity to urban and cultivated areas. At least 56% of the vegetation types found in the study area were threatened by transformation to agriculture, mining and urban areas. We strongly recommend that existing biodiversity policies and legislation should be enforced to avoid habitat loss and degradation.
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St-Louis, Véronique, Anna M. Pidgeon, Tobias Kuemmerle, Ruth Sonnenschein, Volker C. Radeloff, Murray K. Clayton, Brian A. Locke, Dallas Bash, and Patrick Hostert. "Modelling avian biodiversity using raw, unclassified satellite imagery." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 369, no. 1643 (May 26, 2014): 20130197. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2013.0197.
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Applications of remote sensing for biodiversity conservation typically rely on image classifications that do not capture variability within coarse land cover classes. Here, we compare two measures derived from unclassified remotely sensed data, a measure of habitat heterogeneity and a measure of habitat composition, for explaining bird species richness and the spatial distribution of 10 species in a semi-arid landscape of New Mexico. We surveyed bird abundance from 1996 to 1998 at 42 plots located in the McGregor Range of Fort Bliss Army Reserve. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index values of two May 1997 Landsat scenes were the basis for among-pixel habitat heterogeneity (image texture), and we used the raw imagery to decompose each pixel into different habitat components (spectral mixture analysis). We used model averaging to relate measures of avian biodiversity to measures of image texture and spectral mixture analysis fractions. Measures of habitat heterogeneity, particularly angular second moment and standard deviation, provide higher explanatory power for bird species richness and the abundance of most species than measures of habitat composition. Using image texture, alone or in combination with other classified imagery-based approaches, for monitoring statuses and trends in biological diversity can greatly improve conservation efforts and habitat management.
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Putera, Alexander Kurniawan Sariyanto, Dyah Perwitasari-Farajallah, Yeni Aryati Mulyani, Stanislav Lhota, Riki Herliansyah, and Sodikin Sodikin. "Waterbird Foraging Habitat Selection in Balikpapan Bay: Water Depth and Patch Area as Important Factors." HAYATI Journal of Biosciences 28, no. 4 (September 29, 2021): 312–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.4308/hjb.28.4.312-324.
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Balikpapan Bay is one of the wetlands providing potential foraging habitat for waterbirds in Indonesia. Potential habitat loss due to oil industry expansion, recent waterbird occurrence, and co-occurrence of two closely related species with similar foraging characteristics led to habitat selection. Habitat selection could be affected by food as an intrinsic factor and extrinsic factor, for example, accessibility to the physical and biological components of the habitat. This study aimed to measure the foraging habitat selection, identify significant habitat quality parameters for the habitat selection and predict the foraging habitat selection model. We used one-zero sampling for collecting foraging habitat selection data, corer sampling for prey data, and collecting the abiotic environment, and Generalized Linear Modelling (GLM) to build the model. We identified four species as the migrant Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Great Egret (Ardea alba), Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), and Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus). All species, except Purple Heron, selected foraging habitats. A simple mathematic model of foraging habitat selection was significantly affected by two factors: water depth and patch area. A large patch area may provide primary prey abundance for waterbirds, while a low water depth level may give easy access to the prey.
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Adams-Hosking, Christine, Hedley S. Grantham, Jonathan R. Rhodes, Clive McAlpine, and Patrick T. Moss. "Modelling climate-change-induced shifts in the distribution of the koala." Wildlife Research 38, no. 2 (2011): 122. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr10156.
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Context The impacts of climate change on the climate envelopes, and hence, distributions of species, are of ongoing concern for biodiversity worldwide. Knowing where climate refuge habitats will occur in the future is essential to conservation planning. The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is recognised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a species highly vulnerable to climate change. However, the impact of climate change on its distribution is poorly understood. Aims We aimed to predict the likely shifts in the climate envelope of the koala throughout its natural distribution under various climate change scenarios and identify potential future climate refugia. Methods To predict possible future koala climate envelopes we developed bioclimatic models using Maxent, based on a substantial database of locality records and several climate change scenarios. Key results The predicted current koala climate envelope was concentrated in south-east Queensland, eastern New South Wales and eastern Victoria, which generally showed congruency with their current known distribution. Under realistic projected future climate change, with the climate becoming increasingly drier and warmer, the models showed a significant progressive eastward and southward contraction in the koala’s climate envelope limit in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. The models also indicated novel potentially suitable climate habitat in Tasmania and south-western Australia. Conclusions Under a future hotter and drier climate, current koala distributions, based on their climate envelope, will likely contract eastwards and southwards to many regions where koala populations are declining due to additional threats of high human population densities and ongoing pressures from habitat loss, dog attacks and vehicle collisions. In arid and semi-arid regions such as the Mulgalands of south-western Queensland, climate change is likely to compound the impacts of habitat loss, resulting in significant contractions in the distribution of this species. Implications Climate change pressures will likely change priorities for allocating conservation efforts for many species. Conservation planning needs to identify areas that will provide climatically suitable habitat for a species in a changing climate. In the case of the koala, inland habitats are likely to become climatically unsuitable, increasing the need to protect and restore the more mesic habitats, which are under threat from urbanisation. National and regional koala conservation policies need to anticipate these changes and synergistic threats. Therefore, a proactive approach to conservation planning is necessary to protect the koala and other species that depend on eucalypt forests.
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FARASHI, AZITA, and MOHAMMAD ALIZADEH-NOUGHANI. "Niche modelling of the potential distribution of the Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus during summer and winter in Iran, to identify gaps in protected area coverage." Bird Conservation International 29, no. 03 (November 29, 2018): 423–36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0959270918000278.
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SummaryAn analysis of the extent of overlap between habitats of the Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus during summer and winter in Iran, and Iranian protected areas, discovered slight overlap between the two. Our study aimed to survey suitable habitats of the Egyptian Vulture during summer and winter in Iran using MaxEnt, a species distribution modelling method, and compare the results with the locations and span of protected areas. Model fitness was assessed using the area under the ROC-plot and True Skill Statistics. We found that habitat suitability in Iran varies for the Egyptian Vulture during summer and winter. Summer visitors are scattered in the north and west of Iran, concentrated along the Zagros and Alborz mountain ranges. Winter visitors and residents are scattered in coastal areas in the south. Habitat protection for winter visitors was the greatest, with 10% of suitable habitat covered, while less than 10% of suitable habitat for residents and summer visitors fell within protected areas. The Egyptian Vulture is categorised as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List. Different environmental factors influence the suitability of habitat for the species. While some factors such as NDVI and anthropogenic disturbance influence all visitors in a similar way, the effects of others such as elevation and distance from protected areas vary for summer and winter visitors. Since designation of protected areas in Iran is mainly determined by the distribution of mammal species, protection of bird habitats is often overlooked. Suitable habitat for the species should be considered when selecting protected areas in future.
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Park, Yonghwan, Chang-Jun Kim, Moon-Bo Choi, and Yuno Do. "A Comparative Study of Carabid Beetles in Green Spaces and Former Natural Habitats." Diversity 12, no. 12 (December 15, 2020): 479. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/d12120479.
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Urban expansion threatens ecosystems through direct habitat conversion. To secure urban biodiversity and enhance ecosystem services, a common focus of planning and growth management efforts is to establish green spaces. This study aimed to understand the formation process of newly created green spaces after urban development. We investigated the carabid beetle assemblages in its current habitat in a new city and in its former habitats for assessing the loss of species diversity by urban development and to identify the initial status of species assemblages in the current urban habitats, including green spaces. The diversity and composition of the carabid beetle assemblages significantly changed in the new city. The former habitat loss by urban development leaves large numbers of carabid species to dramatically decline. Carabid assemblages in current habitats may show a critical response to habitat loss, although former habitats were converted to green spaces. Some carabid species were only present in current habitats, including the green space from former habitats. In addition, the current habitat, including green spaces and other habitats, have similar carabid assemblages. Our results indicated that the loss of former habitat has a much greater effect on species diversity persistence than changes in habitat configuration and the creation of green spaces. Consequently, most carabid beetles were already lost during development. Urban habitats in new cities, including green spaces, represent simple and homogeneous habitats, although the development was designed and planned to enhance biodiversity. The present design and planning practice for green spaces that destroyed all former habitats to prepare the ground of urban areas and thereby created urban habitats, including green space, may need to be changed to secure biodiversity. Designing and planning the green spaces should consider the species’ former habitats, for instance, creating a similar type of green space to agricultural land, forest, and wetland, and thereby the former habitat remains intact to enhance biodiversity and function.
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Stone, L., E. Eilam, A. Abelson, and M. Ilan. "Modelling coral reef biodiversity and habitat destruction." Marine Ecology Progress Series 134 (1996): 299–302. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps134299.
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Knudby, Anders, Alexander Brenning, and Ellsworth LeDrew. "New approaches to modelling fish–habitat relationships." Ecological Modelling 221, no. 3 (February 2010): 503–11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2009.11.008.
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Koreň, Milan, Slavomír Find'o, Michaela Skuban, and Matúš Kajba. "Habitat suitability modelling from non-point data." Ecological Informatics 6, no. 5 (September 2011): 296–302. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2011.05.002.
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Rosenfeld, Jordan S., and Ron Ptolemy. "Modelling available habitat versus available energy flux: do PHABSIM applications that neglect prey abundance underestimate optimal flows for juvenile salmonids?" Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 69, no. 12 (December 2012): 1920–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f2012-115.
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Common applications of models to predict the response of fish habitat to altered stream flow (such as the Physical Habitat Simulation Model; PHABSIM) assume that fish abundance is directly related to the area of suitable habitat for limiting life stages and usually ignore flow effects on prey abundance. However, if prey availability is flow sensitive, then fish production may be more closely related to the total flux of available prey than to habitat area. We compared instream flow predictions from PHABSIM to predictions of optimal energy flux to drift-feeding juvenile coho salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch ) estimated using a drift-foraging bioenergetics model. Flux of available energy to juvenile coho salmon declined much more rapidly with decreasing flow than suitable habitat area estimated using PHABSIM, so that, relative to the bioenergetic model, predictions from PHABSIM systematically overestimated productive capacity at very low flows (i.e., underestimated the negative consequences of simulated water withdrawal). Applications of habitat suitability based models like PHABSIM may systematically overestimate low-flow productive capacity for species that prefer low velocities (e.g., pools) but are dependent on energy fluxes generated in higher velocity habitats (e.g., riffles).
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Prydatko, Vasyl, and Grygoriy Kolomytsev. "Biodiversity and Habitat Changes Modelling Experiences in Ukraine and Eastern Europe Countries." International Journal of Measurement Technologies and Instrumentation Engineering 3, no. 2 (April 2013): 44–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/ijmtie.2013040103.
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This is updated study on biodiversity and its conditions in Ukraine and seven surrounding countries. It includes four different methods: the indicative-index approach, the Mean Species Abundance (MSA) and two species based approaches, one using habitat changes as driving factor (EEBIO) and the other includes climate change (SDM_GLM, BIOCLIM). The indicative-index methodology ‘BINU’ dealt with 128 species and 98 agrobiodiversity indicators-indices, and demonstrated low impact of climate change from 1950-2002. The EEBIO approach links species distribution maps, compiled from different sources to habitat change maps, resulting in a series of 900 GIS maps. The MSA-approach gives a general view and shows a low impact of climate change by 2002, and a high impact due to habitat loss. The GLM-approach provided detailed species-based maps of the expected changes in habitats condition caused by land use change and climate change, contrary to BIOCLIM. Finally, the selected 55 indicator species (vascular plants, insects, amphibians, birds and mammals) demonstrated a surprising diversity of GLM-trends by 2030-2050. It proved that expected climate change, together with land-use change would provoke numerous expected and unexpected species-habitat alterations. GLM- and BIOCLIM-based scenarios can not be the same. If the final GLM-scenarios are correct, then in the near future in Ukraine in particular, scientists and decision makers will by 2050 find about 4% of new species or will lose up to 13% of existing species.
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Sarkar, Mriganka Shekhar, Ramesh Krishnamurthy, Jeyaraj A. Johnson, Subharanjan Sen, and Goutam Kumar Saha. "Assessment of fine-scale resource selection and spatially explicit habitat suitability modelling for a re-introduced tiger (Panthera tigris) population in central India." PeerJ 5 (November 3, 2017): e3920. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3920.
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Background Large carnivores influence ecosystem functions at various scales. Thus, their local extinction is not only a species-specific conservation concern, but also reflects on the overall habitat quality and ecosystem value. Species-habitat relationships at fine scale reflect the individuals’ ability to procure resources and negotiate intraspecific competition. Such fine scale habitat choices are more pronounced in large carnivores such as tiger (Panthera tigris), which exhibits competitive exclusion in habitat and mate selection strategies. Although landscape level policies and conservation strategies are increasingly promoted for tiger conservation, specific management interventions require knowledge of the habitat correlates at fine scale. Methods We studied nine radio-collared individuals of a successfully reintroduced tiger population in Panna Tiger Reserve, central India, focussing on the species-habitat relationship at fine scales. With 16 eco-geographical variables, we performed Manly’s selection ratio and K-select analyses to define population-level and individual-level variation in resource selection, respectively. We analysed the data obtained during the exploratory period of six tigers and during the settled period of eight tigers separately, and compared the consequent results. We further used the settled period characteristics to model and map habitat suitability based on the Mahalanobis D2 method and the Boyce index. Results There was a clear difference in habitat selection by tigers between the exploratory and the settled period. During the exploratory period, tigers selected dense canopy and bamboo forests, but also spent time near villages and relocated village sites. However, settled tigers predominantly selected bamboo forests in complex terrain, riverine forests and teak-mixed forest, and totally avoided human settlements and agriculture areas. There were individual variations in habitat selection between exploratory and settled periods. Based on threshold limits of habitat selection by the Boyce Index, we established that 83% of core and 47% of buffer areas are now suitable habitats for tiger in this reserve. Discussion Tiger management often focuses on large-scale measures, but this study for the first time highlights the behaviour and fine-scale individual-specific habitat selection strategies. Such knowledge is vital for management of critical tiger habitats and specifically for the success of reintroduction programs. Our spatially explicit habitat suitability map provides a baseline for conservation planning and optimizing carrying capacity of the tiger population in this reserve.
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Chang, Yi-Jay, Chi-Lu Sun, Yong Chen, Su-Zan Yeh, Gerard DiNardo, and Nan-Jay Su. "Modelling the impacts of environmental variation on the habitat suitability of swordfish, Xiphias gladius, in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean." ICES Journal of Marine Science 70, no. 5 (January 8, 2013): 1000–1012. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fss190.
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Abstract Chang, Y.-J., Sun, C.-L., Chen, Y., Yeh, S.-Z., DiNardo, G., and Su, N.-J. 2013. Modelling the impacts of environmental variation on the habitat suitability of swordfish, Xiphias gladius, in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: 1000–1012. We developed a habitat suitability index (HSI) model to identify the optimal habitats of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean. Environmental variables, including sea surface temperature (SST), mixed layer depth (MLD), chlorophyll-a concentrations, and sea surface height anomaly, as well as catch and effort data from Taiwanese longline fisheries, were used. The geometric mean model including all the above environmental variables was identified as the most parsimonious model for yielding HSI predictions coinciding with productive fishing grounds with high fishing effort. Swordfish mainly aggregated in the northwest region during March–May and spread southeast thereafter in response to seasonal shifts in oceanographic conditions. There was annual variation in the distribution of habitat patches, and the habitat quality was reduced in the northwest region of the equatorial Atlantic Ocean during 2005. The apparent spatial shifts in optimal habitats might be linked to reduced MLD and elevation in sea surface height, which might be related to climate variability (e.g. Niño-Southern Oscillation and/or Northern Atlantic Oscillation). Because environmental data regarding climate change scenarios are becoming readily available, we can utilize the proposed HSI models to evaluate possible changes in habitat suitability resulting from climate change and provide scientific advice for the development of management regulations.
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Mondal, I., R. S. Kumar, B. Habib, and G. Talukdar. "MODELLING FINE SCALE MOVEMENT CORRIDORS FOR THE TRICARINATE HILL TURTLE." ISPRS - International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences XLI-B8 (June 23, 2016): 719–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-xli-b8-719-2016.
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Habitat loss and the destruction of habitat connectivity can lead to species extinction by isolation of population. Identifying important habitat corridors to enhance habitat connectivity is imperative for species conservation by preserving dispersal pattern to maintain genetic diversity. Circuit theory is a novel tool to model habitat connectivity as it considers habitat as an electronic circuit board and species movement as a certain amount of current moving around through different resistors in the circuit. Most studies involving circuit theory have been carried out at small scales on large ranging animals like wolves or pumas, and more recently on tigers. This calls for a study that tests circuit theory at a large scale to model micro-scale habitat connectivity. The present study on a small South-Asian geoemydid, the Tricarinate Hill-turtle (<i>Melanochelys tricarinata</i>), focuses on habitat connectivity at a very fine scale. The Tricarinate has a small body size (carapace length: 127–175 mm) and home range (8000–15000 m<sup>2</sup>), with very specific habitat requirements and movement patterns. We used very high resolution Worldview satellite data and extensive field observations to derive a model of landscape permeability at 1 : 2,000 scale to suit the target species. Circuit theory was applied to model potential corridors between core habitat patches for the Tricarinate Hill-turtle. The modelled corridors were validated by extensive ground tracking data collected using thread spool technique and found to be functional. Therefore, circuit theory is a promising tool for accurately identifying corridors, to aid in habitat studies of small species.
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Rashid, Wajid, Jianbin Shi, Inam ur Rahim, Muhammad Qasim, Muhammad Naveed Baloch, Eve Bohnett, Fangyuan Yang, Imran Khan, and Bilal Ahmad. "Modelling Potential Distribution of Snow Leopards in Pamir, Northern Pakistan: Implications for Human–Snow Leopard Conflicts." Sustainability 13, no. 23 (November 29, 2021): 13229. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su132313229.
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The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a cryptic and rare big cat inhabiting Asia’s remote and harsh elevated areas. Its population has decreased across the globe for various reasons, including human–snow leopard conflicts (HSCs). Understanding the snow leopard’s distribution range and habitat interactions with human/livestock is essential for understanding the ecological context in which HSCs occur and thus gives insights into how to mitigate HSCs. In this study, a MaxEnt model predicted the snow leopard’s potential distribution and analyzed the land use/cover to determine the habitat interactions of snow leopards with human/livestock in Karakoram–Pamir, northern Pakistan. The results indicated an excellent model performance for predicting the species’ potential distribution. The variables with higher contributions to the model were the mean diurnal temperature range (51.7%), annual temperature range (18.5%), aspect (14.2%), and land cover (6.9%). The model predicted approximately 10% of the study area as a highly suitable habitat for snow leopards. Appropriate areas included those at an altitude ranging from 2721 to 4825 m, with a mean elevation of 3796.9 ± 432 m, overlapping between suitable snow leopard habitats and human presence. The human encroachment (human settlements and agriculture) in suitable snow leopard habitat increased by 115% between 2008 and 2018. Increasing encroachment and a clear overlap between snow leopard suitable habitat and human activities, signs of growing competition between wildlife and human/livestock for limited rangeland resources, may have contributed to increasing HSCs. A sound land use plan is needed to minimize overlaps between suitable snow leopard habitat and human presence to mitigate HSCs in the long run.
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Mondal, I., R. S. Kumar, B. Habib, and G. Talukdar. "MODELLING FINE SCALE MOVEMENT CORRIDORS FOR THE TRICARINATE HILL TURTLE." ISPRS - International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences XLI-B8 (June 23, 2016): 719–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/isprsarchives-xli-b8-719-2016.
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Habitat loss and the destruction of habitat connectivity can lead to species extinction by isolation of population. Identifying important habitat corridors to enhance habitat connectivity is imperative for species conservation by preserving dispersal pattern to maintain genetic diversity. Circuit theory is a novel tool to model habitat connectivity as it considers habitat as an electronic circuit board and species movement as a certain amount of current moving around through different resistors in the circuit. Most studies involving circuit theory have been carried out at small scales on large ranging animals like wolves or pumas, and more recently on tigers. This calls for a study that tests circuit theory at a large scale to model micro-scale habitat connectivity. The present study on a small South-Asian geoemydid, the Tricarinate Hill-turtle (<i>Melanochelys tricarinata</i>), focuses on habitat connectivity at a very fine scale. The Tricarinate has a small body size (carapace length: 127–175 mm) and home range (8000–15000 m<sup>2</sup>), with very specific habitat requirements and movement patterns. We used very high resolution Worldview satellite data and extensive field observations to derive a model of landscape permeability at 1 : 2,000 scale to suit the target species. Circuit theory was applied to model potential corridors between core habitat patches for the Tricarinate Hill-turtle. The modelled corridors were validated by extensive ground tracking data collected using thread spool technique and found to be functional. Therefore, circuit theory is a promising tool for accurately identifying corridors, to aid in habitat studies of small species.
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Unsworth, Richard K. F., Sammy De Grave, Jamaluddin Jompa, David J. Smith, and James J. Bell. "Faunal relationships with seagrass habitat structure: a case study using shrimp from the Indo-Pacific." Marine and Freshwater Research 58, no. 11 (2007): 1008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/mf07058.
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Caridean shrimp were used as a model group to investigate the effects of seagrass floral habitat complexity on Indo-Pacific fauna. Relationships between shrimp and seagrass habitat characteristics were explored using both multivariate and multiple linear regression modelling approaches. Epifaunal shrimp assemblages were sampled in the Wakatobi Marine National Park, Indonesia. Seagrass habitat complexity had a significant positive impact on shrimp abundance (F3,59 = 17.51, P < 0.001) and species richness (F3,59 = 10.88, P < 0.001), while significantly altering shrimp assemblage structure (ANOSIM global R = 0.397, P < 0.001). In contrast to studies from other bioregions and faunal groups, species diversity and evenness were inversely related to habitat complexity. Changes in shrimp abundance, diversity and assemblage structure with habitat complexity are considered to reflect changes in individual species habitat specialisation. High complexity habitats were dominated by habitat specialists, whereas low complexity seagrass had higher numbers of habitat generalists. Generalist species may be more adapted to the reduced food availability and increased predatory pressures associated with reduced habitat complexity. Although similar patterns were observed at all sites, inter-site differences in shrimp abundance were observed. This indicates that although the present study demonstrates the importance of small-scale changes in seagrass habitat complexity to faunal assemblages, other factors related to larger spatial-scales are also important.
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Sarma, Bhaskar, Prantik Sharma Baruah, and Bhaben Tanti. "Habitat distribution modeling for reintroduction and conservation of Aristolochia indica L. - a threatened medicinal plant in Assam, India." Journal of Threatened Taxa 10, no. 11 (October 26, 2018): 12531–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/jott.3600.10.11.12531-12537.
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A detailed study on the regeneration ecology of Aristolochia indica L. was carried out to prevent this threatened medicinal plant from its future extirpation in Assam, India. The population stock of the species has been depleting fast in its natural habitats as a consequence of certain factors such as habitat fragmentation, over-exploitation due to its high medicinal properties, and other anthropogenic activities. For improving the conservation status of the species, potential area and habitat for its reintroduction were predicted using Maximum Entropy distribution modelling algorithm. The model was developed using environmental parameters and locality data in the natural range of Karbi Anglong District of Assam, India. The model predicted that the suitable habitats for the reintroduction of A. indica L. were restricted to parts of Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh which have been identified to offer suitable environmental conditions for persistence of the species. Population status was positively correlated with higher model thresholds in the undisturbed habitats confirming the usefulness of the habitat model in population monitoring, particularly in predicting the successful establishment of the species.
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Lee, Chen-Lu, Colin K. C. Wen, Yen-Hsun Huang, Chia-Yun Chung, and Hsing-Juh Lin. "Ontogenetic Habitat Usage of Juvenile Carnivorous Fish Among Seagrass-Coral Mosaic Habitats." Diversity 11, no. 2 (February 18, 2019): 25. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/d11020025.
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Seagrass beds and coral reefs are both considered critical habitats for reef fishes, and in tropical coastal regions, they often grow together to form “mosaic” habitats. Although reef fishes clearly inhabit such structurally complex environments, there is little known about their habitat usage in seagrass-coral mosaic habitats. The goal of this study was to examine potential factors that drive habitat usage pattern by juvenile reef fishes. We quantified (1) prey availability, (2) potential competitors, and 3) predators across a gradient of mosaic habitats (n = 4 habitat types) for four dominant carnivorous fishes (lethrinids and lutjanids) in the main recruitment season at Dongsha Island, South China Sea. We found that the coral-dominated habitats had not only a higher availability of large crustacean prey but also a higher abundance of competitors and predators of juvenile fishes. Food availability was the most important factor underlying the habitat usage pattern by lethrinids and lutjanids through ontogeny. The predation pressure exhibited a strong impact on small juvenile lethrinids but not on larger juveniles and lutjanids. The four juvenile fishes showed distinct habitat usage patterns through ontogeny. Collectively, mosaic habitats in the back reef system may be linked to key ontogenetic shifts in the early life histories of reef fishes between seagrass beds and coral reefs.
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Choi, Byungwoong, Byungik Kim, Jonghwan Park, Tae-Woo Kang, Dong-Seok Shin, Eun Hye Na, and Jiyeon Choi. "An Integrated Modelling Study on the Effects of Weir Operation Scenarios on Aquatic Habitat Changes in the Yeongsan River." Sustainability 14, no. 10 (May 17, 2022): 6090. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su14106090.
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The Seungchon and Juksan Weirs were constructed in 2012 through four major river projects to control floods and secure water in the Yeongsan River. However, anthropogenic changes in the environment can lead to loss of biodiversity and longitudinal connectivity and the deterioration of ecosystem health. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of physical and chemical changes in the Yeongsan River on aquatic habitats through an integrated (water quality–aquatic habitat) model (i.e., Delft3D and HABITAT). The target species used to simulate habitat suitability included Squalidus chankaensis tsuchigae (an endemic fish), Cyprinus carpio, and Micropterus salmoides (an invasive species of fish). Based on the results, maintaining the lowest water level in one of the two weirs was predicted to improve the habitat of the target species. In particular, the habitat area was greatly improved, especially when the Juksan Weir was completely opened. Furthermore, resistance to environmental changes due to habitat area changes indicates that invasive species adapt more to environmental changes than endemic species. This study suggests that physical and chemical changes in the environment can predict the impact on the health of the aquatic ecosystems, which will be useful in establishing an integrated water management plan. These results can be used as basic data for supporting water management policy, to apply an aquatic ecology prediction model suitable for the Yeongsan River system, and to present a management plan for improving the health of an aquatic ecosystem.
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Xu, Wei, Yuqi Miao, Shuaimeng Zhu, Jimin Cheng, and Jingwei Jin. "Modelling the Geographical Distribution Pattern of Apple Trees on the Loess Plateau, China." Agriculture 13, no. 2 (January 25, 2023): 291. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13020291.
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The Loess Plateau, known for its fragile ecosystems, is one of the traditional apple-producing regions in China. Although some management measures are needed to enhance sustainable agriculture in response to the rising pressure of climate change, the geographic distribution of apple trees considering multiple variables has not been considered. In this study, we used three software (the maximum entropy model, IDRISI, and ArcGIS) to simulate the potential distribution of suitable habitats and range shifts of apple trees in the near present and near future (i.e., the 2030s and the 2050s) under two climate scenarios (the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP)1-26 and SSP5-85), while taking a variety of environmental factors into account (e.g., temperature, precipitation, and terrain). After optimization, the class unsuitable habitat (CUH) changed the potential distribution pattern of apple trees on the Loess Plateau. Currently, the areas of lowly suitable habitat (LSH), moderately suitable habitat (MSH), highly suitable habitat (HSH), and CUH were 7.66 × 104, 2.80 × 104, 0.23 × 104, and 18.05 × 104 km2, respectively. Compared to the centroid estimated under the climate of 1970–2000, the suitability range of apple trees was displaced to the northwest in both the 2030s and the 2050s in SSP5-85 (i.e., 63.88~81.30 km), causing a larger displacement in distance than SSP1-26 (i.e., 40.05~50.32 km). This study demonstrates the possible changes in the spatial distribution of apple trees on the Loess Plateau in the near future and may provide a strong basis for future policy making.
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Wani, Ishfaq Ahmad, Susheel Verma, Priyanka Kumari, Bipin Charles, Maha J. Hashim, and Hamed A. El-Serehy. "Ecological assessment and environmental niche modelling of Himalayan rhubarb (Rheum webbianum Royle) in northwest Himalaya." PLOS ONE 16, no. 11 (November 18, 2021): e0259345. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0259345.
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In an era of anthropocene, threatened and endemic species with small population sizes and habitat specialists experience a greater global conservation concern in view of being at higher risk of extinction. Predicting and plotting appropriate potential habitats for such species is a rational method for monitoring and restoring their dwindling populations in expected territories. Ecological niche modelling (ENM) coalesces species existence sites with environmental raster layers to construct models that describe possible distributions of plant species. The present study is aimed to study the potential distribution and cultivation hotspots for reintroducing the high value, vulnerable medicinal herb (Rheum webbianum) in the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh using population attributes and ecological niche modelling approach. Sixty-three populations inventoried from twenty-eight areas display a significant change in the phytosociological attributes on account of various anthropogenic threats. The current potential habitats coincide with actual distribution records and the mean value of Area Under Curve (AUC) was 0.98 and the line of predicted omission was almost adjacent to omission in training samples, thus validating a robustness of the model. The potential habitat suitability map based on the current climatic conditions predicted a total of 103760 km2 as suitable area for the growth of Rheum webbianum. Under the future climatic conditions, there is a significant reduction in the habitat suitability ranging from -78531.34 Km2 (RCP 4.5 for 2050) to -77325.81 (RCP 8.5 for 2070). Furthermore, there is a slight increase in the suitable habitats under future climatic conditions, ranging from +21.99 Km2 under RCP 8.5 (2050) to +3.14 Km2 under RCP 4.5 (2070). The Jackknife tests indicated Precipitation of Driest Month (BIO14) as the most contributing climatic variable in governing the distribution of R. webbianum. Therefore, scientifically sound management strategies are urgently needed to save whatever populations are left in-situ to protect this species from getting extinct. Present results can be used by conservationists for mitigating the biodiversity decline and exploring undocumented populations of R. webbianum on one hand and by policymakers in implementing the policy of conservation of species with specific habitat requirements by launching species recovery programmes in future on the other.
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Wani, Zishan Ahmad, Qamer Ridwan, Sajid Khan, Shreekar Pant, Sazada Siddiqui, Mahmoud Moustafa, Ahmed Ezzat Ahmad, and Habab M. Yassin. "Changing Climatic Scenarios Anticipate Dwindling of Suitable Habitats for Endemic Species of Himalaya—Predictions of Ensemble Modelling Using Aconitum heterophyllum as a Model Plant." Sustainability 14, no. 14 (July 11, 2022): 8491. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su14148491.
Full textAbstract:
In the changing climatic conditions, species distribution modelling is considered as a key strategy to estimate the probable influence of climatic variabilities on the habitat ranges of any species. The present study explores the potential distribution of Aconitum heterophyllum under current and future climatic scenarios. The results unfold that the distribution of this endemic species is governed significantly by bio12, i.e., Annual Precipitation. Ensemble modelling predicted that higher altitudes of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are suitable habitats for A. heterophyllum. However, the future climatic modelling revealed that there will be a significant decrease in the suitable habitats for A. heterophyllum. Most of the shrinkage of habitats is predicted to occur within the time period of 2050, which seriously challenges their survival. The present study recommends an urgent need to frame a pertinent conservation and management policy for Aconitum heterophyllum and will act as a framework for planning such a policy.
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Johnston, Kerrylyn, and Belinda J. Robson. "Habitat use by the hymenosomatid crab Amarinus lacustris (Chilton) in two south-eastern Australian rivers." Marine and Freshwater Research 56, no. 1 (2005): 37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/mf04219.
Full textAbstract:
The hymenosomatid crab Amarinus lacustris is abundant in some south-eastern Australian rivers; however, little is known of its ecology. Patterns of habitat use by crabs in rivers may be affected by seasonal changes in river discharge. This study investigates population characteristics, timing of reproduction and patterns of habitat use by A. lacustris in five riffle and pool habitats from each of the Hopkins and Merri Rivers in south-west Victoria, Australia, sampled over a twelve-month period. Distribution of Amarinus lacustris was similar between the two rivers, but log-linear modelling showed that there was a strong association between crab sex, habitat occupied and time of year because female A. lacustris showed a shift from riffle to pool habitats during March and April, coinciding with the non-gravid period of the year. Male crabs also showed a change in relative occurrence, occurring most often in riffles during winter–spring (July–November) but being equally common in both habitats in summer–autumn (January–May). These patterns are probably the result of the reproductive cycle of A. lacustris, which appears to show both ontogenetic and sex-related changes in habitat use during its life cycle, taking advantage of seasonal fluctuations in flow regime that may assist egg/larval development and dispersal.
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Harris, Peter T., Thomas C. L. Bridge, Robin J. Beaman, Jody M. Webster, Scott L. Nichol, and Brendan P. Brooke. "Submerged banks in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, greatly increase available coral reef habitat." ICES Journal of Marine Science 70, no. 2 (November 29, 2012): 284–93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fss165.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract Harris, P. T., Bridge, T. C. L., Beaman, R. J., Webster, J. M., Nichol, S. L., and Brooke, B. P. 2013. Submerged banks in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, greatly increase available coral reef habitat. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: 284–293. Anthropogenic global ocean warming is predicted to cause bleaching of many near-sea-surface (NSS) coral reefs, placing increased importance on deeper reef habitats to maintain coral reef biodiversity and ecosystem function. However, the location and spatial extent of many deep reef habitats is poorly known. The question arises: how common are deep reef habitats in comparison with NSS reefs? We used a dataset from the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) to show that only about 39% of available seabed on submerged banks is capped by NSS coral reefs (16 110 km2); the other 61% of bank area (25 600 km2) is submerged at a mean depth of around 27 m and represents potential deep reef habitat that is spatially distributed along the GBR continental shelf in the same latitudinal distribution as NSS reefs. Out of 25 600 km2 of submerged bank area, predictive habitat modelling indicates that more than half (around 14 000 km2) is suitable habitat for coral communities.