Identifying priority core habitats and corridors for effective conservation of brown bears in Iran

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Jan. 13, 2021

Abstract Iran lies at the southernmost range limit of brown bears globally. Therefore, understanding habitat associations and patterns population connectivity for in is relevant species’ conservation. We applied species distribution modeling to predict suitability identify core areas corridors. Our results showed that forest density, topographical roughness, NDVI human footprint were most influential variables predicting bear distribution. The crucial corridor networks are concentrated Alborz Zagros Mountains. These two predicted be fragmented into a total fifteen isolated patches if dispersal across landscape limited 50,000 cost units, aggregates capable dispersing 400,000 units. found low overlap between corridors, habitats with protected areas, suggesting existing area network may not adequate conservation Iran. suggest effective requires protection both corridors them, especially outside Iran’s areas.

Language: Английский

---

Comparison of habitat suitability and connectivity modelling for three carnivores of conservation concern in an Iranian montane landscape

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 37(2), P. 411 - 430

Published: Jan. 28, 2022

Language: Английский

---

Mapping Industrial Influences on Earth's Ecology

Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 48(1), P. 289 - 317

Published: Nov. 13, 2023

As anthropogenic transformation of Earth's ecology accelerates, and its impacts on the sustainability humanity rest nature become more obvious, geographers other researchers are leveraging an abundance spatial data to map how industrialization is transforming biosphere. This review examines methodologies used create such maps they have enhanced our understanding societies can abate biodiversity loss, mitigate climate change, achieve global goals. Although there been great advances over past two decades in mapping industrial transformations across planet, field still infancy. We outline future research directions better understand biosphere utility integrating socioeconomic, ecological, biodiversity, explore inform potential pathways human-driven social-ecological change.

Language: Английский

---

Not seeing the forest for the trees: Generalised linear model out-performs random forest in species distribution modelling for Southeast Asian felids

Ecological Informatics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 75, P. 102026 - 102026

Published: Feb. 18, 2023

Species Distribution Models (SDMs) are a powerful tool to derive habitat suitability predictions relating species occurrence data with features. Two of the most frequently applied algorithms model species-habitat relationships Generalised Linear (GLM) and Random Forest (RF). The former is parametric regression providing functional models direct interpretability. latter machine learning non-parametric algorithm, more tolerant than other approaches in its assumptions, which has often been shown outperform algorithms. Other have developed produce robust SDMs, like training bootstrapping spatial scale optimisation. Using felid presence-absence from three study regions Southeast Asia (mainland, Borneo Sumatra), we tested performances SDMs by implementing four modelling frameworks: GLM RF bootstrapped non-bootstrapped data. With Mantel ANOVA tests explored how combinations influenced their predictive performances. Additionally, scale-optimisation responded species' size, taxonomic associations (species genus), area algorithm. We found that choice algorithm had strong effect determining differences between SDMs' predictions, while no effect. followed species, were main factors driving scales identified. trained showed higher performance, however, revealed significant only explaining variance observed sensitivity specificity and, when interacting bootstrapping, Percent Correctly Classified (PCC). Bootstrapping significantly explained specificity, PCC True Skills Statistics (TSS). Our results suggest there systematic identified produced vs. RF, but neither approach was consistently better other. divergent inconsistent abilities analysts should not assume inherently superior test multiple methods. implications for SDM development, revealing inconsistencies introduced on optimisation, selecting broader RF.

Language: Английский

---

Why it matters how biodiversity is measured in environmental valuation studies compared to conservation science

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 292, P. 110546 - 110546

Published: March 13, 2024

The undervaluation of biodiversity in decision-making is a critical issue that contributes to continued declines and loss environment. This exacerbated environmental economics by the need keep measures simple for communication public due limited background knowledge cognitive limitations. Therefore, there clear improve metrics used valuation economics, without using overly complex measures. However, it unclear how much overlap exists currently these fields as compared those being more focused disciplines such conservation ecology. Here, we use rapid evidence assessment approach categorise attributes studies into broad groups metrics. We compare this previous research categorising ecology determine well are capturing values important measuring practice. find high degree mostly consistent simplistic easy measure habitat species occurrence generally fail capture ecosystem processes driving persistence therefore may not services or welfare people. discuss implications areas mismatch, point towards future directions stated preference technological advances, which might allow complete dimensions biodiversity.

Language: Английский

---

Explaining inter-individual differences in habitat relationships among wildcat hybrids in Scotland

Ecological Modelling, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 491, P. 110656 - 110656

Published: March 21, 2024

Little is known about the factors that drive nonstationarity and inter-individual differences in realized habitat niches species-environment relationships. We explored this topic by developing individual selection models for 14 wildcat hybrids distributed across Scotland, assessed how their predicted probabilities of occurrence were related to including (1) geographic distance, (2) multivariate ecological (3) difference degree hybridization (4) sex (male vs female). found exceptionally effective predicting use particular individuals on whose data they trained, but generally highly divergent not transferable among individuals. conducted a reciprocal validation approach where we calculated AUC each model, patterns 13 other then fit regression nonparametric splines evaluate impacts geographical distance ability hybrid predict occurrences that, four assessed, was supported as being inversely model from one another individual. The three strongly predictive ability. This suggests reside selection, genetic are consistently associated with prediction or performance. These results highlight effect limiting factors, importance nonstationary determining select, expressed relationship description niches.

Language: Английский

---

Prioritizing areas for conservation outside the existing protected area network in Bhutan: the use of multi-species, multi-scale habitat suitability models

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 36(5), P. 1281 - 1309

Published: March 15, 2021

Abstract Context Understanding the environmental and anthropogenic factors influencing habitat selection of multiple species is a foundation for quantifying human impacts on biodiversity developing effective conservation measures. Objectives To determine effect scales environmental/topographic variables landscape patterns suitability terrestrial mammals in Bhutan, assess effectiveness current protected area network, identify areas high richness outside existing area, evaluate potential indicator umbrella planning. Methods We modelled multi-scale sixteen across Bhutan using data from nation-wide camera trap survey. used predicted distribution maps to multi-species network. performed simulations priority based their suitability, proximity overall connectivity within species. correlation analysis among occurrence multivariate cluster evaluated utility each as by assessing how well optimal that would protect suitable all 16 simultaneously. Results Protected forest cover were strongly associated with use most Additionally, topographical features, like terrain roughness slope position, contributed species, but often different ways. Environmental mostly selected at medium broad scales. Anthropogenic (agriculture built-up areas) negatively both fine Conservation assessment found south-central have terms mean total protected. Similarly, biological corridors region offered protection. Our simulation additional protection abutting southern relative muntjac, wild pig, serow, sambar Asian golden cat are broader tiger, gaur, dhole, clouded leopard, black bear common leopard Conclusions This study highlights need optimally located species-rich areas. kind provides important information optimize future development plans national regional

Language: Английский

---

Ecological niche model transferability of the white star apple (Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don) in the context of climate and global changes

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Feb. 10, 2023

Chrysophyllum albidum is a forest food tree species of the Sapotaceae family bearing large berries nutrition, sanitary, and commercial value in many African countries. Because its socioeconomic importance, C. threatened at least by human pressure. However, we do not know to what extent climate change can impact distribution or whether it possible introduce other tropical regions. To resolve our concerns, decided model spatial species. We then used SDM package for data modeling R compare predictive performances algorithms among most commonly used: three machine learning (MaxEnt, boosted regression trees, random forests) (generalized linear model, generalized additive models, multivariate adaptive spline). performed transfers Asia Latin America. At scale Africa, predictions with respect Maxent under Africlim (scenarios RCP 4.5 8.5, horizon 2055) MIROCES2L SSP245 SSP585, 2060) showed that suitable areas albidum, within threshold values contributing variables will extend mostly West, East, Central, Southern Africa as well East Madagascar. As opposed Maxent, future BRT RF were unrealistic known ecology albidum. All except (for only), consistent predicting successful introduction America Asia, both present future. therefore recommend cultivation predicted along vegetation inventories order discover likely, sister vicarious be new Science. more than realistic Africa. authors an update models comply sixth Assessment Report (AR6) IPCC.

Language: Английский

---

Vulnerability to climate change of species in protected areas in Thailand

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: April 5, 2022

Abstract Although 23% of Thailand’s land is in protected areas, these are vulnerable to climate change. We used spatial distribution modelling for 866 vertebrate and 591 plant species understand potential change impacts on areas. Most mammals, birds, plants were projected decline by 2070, but most amphibians reptiles increase. By 2070 under RCP8.5, 54% modeled will be threatened 11 nationally extinct. However, SDMs sensitive truncation the space currently occupied habitat loss hunting, apparent data limitations. In Thailand, lowland forest clearance has biased records forest-dependent cooler uplands (> 250 m a.s.l.) hunting confined larger vertebrates well-protected contrast, available towards non-forest taxa reptiles. Niche may therefore have resulted overestimation vulnerability some mammal species, while limitations likely led underestimation threat view certainty many uncertainties regarding biological responses, we recommend regular, long-term monitoring communities detect early signals impacts.

Language: Английский

---

Multi‐scale, multivariate community models improve designation of biodiversity hotspots in the Sunda Islands

Animal Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 25(5), P. 660 - 679

Published: Feb. 27, 2022

Abstract Species occur in sympatric assemblages, bound together by ecological relationships and interspecific interactions. Borneo Sumatra host some of the richest assemblages biota worldwide. The region, however, faces highest global deforestation rates, which seriously threaten its unique biodiversity. We used a large camera trap dataset that recorded data for 70 terrestrial species mammals birds, to explore drivers regional richness patterns. Using multi‐scale, multivariate modelling framework quantified main environmental factors associated with patterns biodiversity, while simultaneously assessing individual each species, we determined sampled their contributions community assemblages. then mapped predicted richness, evaluated effectiveness protected areas securing biodiversity hotspots, performed gap analysis highlight biodiverse lacking protection compared our predictions maps produced using IUCN range layers. Finally, investigated performance as an indicator demonstrate is primarily affected gradients anthropogenic factors, only marginally topographic spatial factors. In both islands, are elevational vegetation climate, leading altitudinal zonation niche separation major factor characterizing islands' was north‐eastern western Sumatra. found most hotspots not formally either island; 9.2 18.2% modelled occurred within Sumatra, respectively. highlighted prediction better than, differed drastically from, layer, layer one were similar, showed low predictive power. Our suggests common generalist carnivores effective indicators have high potential focal, umbrella or assist multi‐species vertebrate conservation planning. Understanding existing critical support development strategies this rapidly changing region.

Language: Английский

---