A multi-scale, multi-species approach for assessing effectiveness of habitat and connectivity conservation for endangered felids

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 245, P. 108523 - 108523

Published: April 4, 2020

Language: Английский

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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

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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

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Comparing the performance of global, geographically weighted and ecologically weighted species distribution models for Scottish wildcats using GLM and Random Forest predictive modeling

Ecological Modelling, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 492, P. 110691 - 110691

Published: April 8, 2024

Species distribution modeling has emerged as a foundational method to predict occurrence and suitability of species in relation environmental variables advance ecological understanding guide conservation planning. Recent research, however, shown that species-environmental relationships habitat model predictions are often nonstationary space, time context. This calls into question approaches assume global, stationary realized niche use predictive describe it. paper explores this issue by comparing the performance models for wildcat hybrid based on (1) global pooled data across individuals, (2) geographically weighted aggregation individual models, (3) ecologically (4) combinations geographical weighting. Our study system included GPS telemetry from 14 hybrids Scotland. We developed both using Generalized Linear Models (GLM) Random Forest machine learning compare these differing algorithms how they analyses. validated predicted four different ways. First, we used independent hold-out collared hybrids. Second, 8 additional previous were not training sample. Third, sightings sent public researchers expert opinion. Fourth, collected camera trap surveys between 2012 – 2021 various sources produce combined dataset showing where wildcats had been detected. results show validation individuals train provides highly biased assessment true other locations, with particular appearing perform exceptionally (and inaccurately) well when same models. Very obtained three sources. Each sets gave result terms best overall model. The average datasets suggested produced potential was an ensemble Model GLM suggests debate over whether which vs is superior or aggregated may be false choice. presented here prediction applies combination all framework.

Language: Английский

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Prioritizing habitat core areas and corridors for a large carnivore across its range

Animal Conservation, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 23(5), P. 607 - 616

Published: March 17, 2020

Abstract With increasing loss and fragmentation of habitats driving the emerging global extinction crisis, paired with limited resources for conservation, there is an immense need to identify prioritize most important areas conservation actions. The goal this study was measure, map rank core corridors mainland clouded leopard (a forest indicator species) across its entire range in Southeast Asia. We used empirically based landscape resistance model developed from range‐wide camera survey data, cumulative resistant kernel analysis define least‐cost network long‐distance dispersal. then ranked on their strength size, they connect. found that are concentrated Asia, largely Myanmar, Laos Malaysia. Myanmar contains nearly entirety first third highest areas, as well SE Almost territory constitutes one large potential area, second leopard’s range. A number (22) very small (<8000 km 2 ) fairly isolated China. Only 24% 17% protected. This example using empirical models actions full a carnivore. Our identifies location, size connectivity remaining range, which could provide quantitative guidance efforts maximize efficacy regional initiatives conserve species ecosystems it inhabits.

Language: Английский

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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

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Simulating the impact of Belt and Road initiative and other major developments in Myanmar on an ambassador felid, the clouded leopard, Neofelis nebulosa

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 35(3), P. 727 - 746

Published: Feb. 8, 2020

Abstract Context After decades of political and economic isolation, Myanmar is now the focus large international investments, particularly from China, which raises questions how to balance national development with safeguarding Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. Objective To evaluate impact five major developments in on forest ecosystems, using clouded leopard as a focal umbrella species for wider conservation. Methods Based an empirical habitat relationships model, we identified core areas corridors Myanmar, compared them across scenarios. We simulated population dynamics genetic diversity each scenario individual-based, spatially explicit cost-distance genetics model. Results The predicted current may be larger than carrying capacity landscape, raising possibility that species’ has not yet equilibrated recent loss degradation. All combined resulted 36% decrease landscape connectivity 29% size, including substantial reduction diversity. Each was have negative effect; however, emerging zones had disproportionally impacts (− 24% − 25% size), resulting fragmentation largest areas. Similarly, Indian Highway Silk Road caused habitats, Pipeline Railroad significantly decreased main stronghold leopards. Conclusions Spatially-explicit assessments like one presented here provide quantitative evaluation help optimize trade-offs between rapid increasing surrounding Southeast Asian nations pose enormous threat region. Optimizing trade-off goals conservation essential minimize effects land use change biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Meta‐replication, sampling bias, and multi‐scale model selection: A case study on snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in western China

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 10(14), P. 7686 - 7712

Published: July 1, 2020

Abstract Replicated multiple scale species distribution models (SDMs) have become increasingly important to identify the correct variables determining and their influences on ecological responses. This study explores multi‐scale habitat relationships of snow leopard ( Panthera uncia ) in two areas Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau western China. Our primary objectives were evaluate degree which relationships, expressed by predictors, scales response, magnitude effects, consistent across or locally landcape‐specific. We coupled univariate optimization maximum entropy algorithm produce multivariate SDMs, inferring relative suitability for ensembling top performing models. optimized SDMs based average omission rate ensembles’ overlap with a simulated reference model. Comparison highlighted landscape‐specific responses limiting factors. These dependent effects hydrological network, anthropogenic features, topographic complexity, heterogeneity landcover patch mosaic. Overall, even accounting specific local differences, we found general landscape attributes associated requirements, consisting positive association uplands ridges, aggregated low‐contrast landscapes, large extents grassy herbaceous vegetation. As means performance bias correction methods, explored three datasets showing range intensities. The corrections depends intensity; however, density kernels offered reliable strategy under all circumstances. reveals response leopards environmental confirms role meta‐replicated designs identification spatially varying Furthermore, this makes contributions ongoing discussion about best approaches sampling correction.

Language: Английский

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A methodological roadmap to quantify animal‐vectored spatial ecosystem subsidies

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 90(7), P. 1605 - 1622

Published: May 20, 2021

Abstract Energy, nutrients and organisms move over landscapes, connecting ecosystems across space time. Meta‐ecosystem theory investigates the emerging properties of local coupled spatially by these movements matter, explicitly tracking exchanges multiple substances ecosystem borders. To date, meta‐ecosystem research has focused mostly on abiotic flows—neglecting biotic nutrient flows. However, recent work indicated animals act as spatial vectors when they transport landscapes in form excreta, egesta their own bodies. Partly due to its high level abstraction, there are few empirical tests theory. Furthermore, while may be viewed important mediators functions, better integration tools is needed develop predictive insights relative roles impacts diverse ecosystems. We present a methodological roadmap that explains how do such discussing combine from movement, foraging ecology coherent understanding animal‐vectored meta‐ecosystems processes. discuss slate newly developed technologies methods—tracking devices, mechanistic movement models, diet reconstruction techniques remote sensing—that integrated have potential advance quantification flows increase power demonstrate integrating novel established animal ecology, sensing, we can begin identify quantify animal‐mediated translocation large animals. also provide conceptual examples show our proposed methodologies help investigate movement. conclude describing practical advancements cross‐ecosystem contributions move. Understanding mechanisms which shape dynamics for ongoing conservation, rewilding restoration initiatives around world, developing more accurate models budgets. Our will enable ecologists qualify

Language: Английский

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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

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