Species Distribution Modelling predicts habitat suitability and reduction of suitable habitat under future climatic scenario for Sclerophrys perreti : A critically endangered Nigerian endemic toad

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-491
Author(s):  
Lotanna M. Nneji ◽  
Gabriel Salako ◽  
Segun O. Oladipo ◽  
Adeola O. Ayoola ◽  
Abiodun B. Onadeko ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsin-Ting Yeh ◽  
Harn-Yeu Cheah ◽  
Ming-Chih Chiu ◽  
Jhih-Rong Liao ◽  
Chiun-Cheng Ko

AbstractPest risk assessment is typically performed by expert taxonomists using a pest’s biological data. However, the biological data or expert taxonomists may be difficult to find. Here, we used species distribution modelling to predict potential invasion in which phytophagous quarantine pests survive in Taiwan; the pests (unrecorded yet in Taiwan) included were three notorious quarantine whiteflies (Crenidorsum aroidephagus, Aleurothrixus trachoides, and Paraleyrodes minei) and three aphids (Nasonovia ribisnigri, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, and Viteus vitifoliae). In brief, maximum entropy modelling (MaxEnt) was used to predict the suitability of the pests’ habitats under certain climatic conditions, and then receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed (to verify the prediction result). We then analysed environmental variables affecting the habitat suitability and matched them with Taiwan’s crop cultivation areas for the assessment of potential invasion. We observed that the habitat suitability of the cultivation areas of host plants was low for C. aroidephagus, A. trachoides, and N. ribisnigri but was high for the remaining three species. Moreover, precipitation of coldest quarter negatively affected habitat suitability for C. aroidephagus, P. minei, N. ribisnigri, and M. euphorbiae. Seasonal temperature changes also negatively affected the habitat suitability for A. trachoides. This is the first study to demonstrate the use of species distribution modelling as the preliminary step for the pest risk assessment of these emerging pests with limited biological data before their invasion.


2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 466-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
JONATHON C. DUNN ◽  
GRAEME M. BUCHANAN ◽  
RICHARD J. CUTHBERT ◽  
MARK J. WHITTINGHAM ◽  
PHILIP J. K. MCGOWAN

SummaryThe Critically Endangered Himalayan Quail Ophrysia superciliosa has not been reliably recorded since 1876. Recent searches of historical sites have failed to detect the species, but we estimate an extinction year of 2023 giving us reason to believe that the species may still be extant. Species distribution models can act as a guide for survey efforts, but the current land cover in the historical specimen record locations is unlikely to reflect Himalayan Quail habitat preferences due to extensive modifications. Thus, we investigate the use of two proxy species: Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallechi and Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus that taken together are thought to have macro-habitat requirements that encapsulate those of the Himalayan Quail. After modelling climate and topography space for the Himalayan Quail and these proxy species we find the models for the proxy species have moderate overlap with that of the Himalayan Quail. Models improved with the incorporation of land cover data and when these were overlaid with the Himalayan Quail climate model, we were able to identify suitable areas to target surveys. Using a measure of search effort from recent observations of other galliformes, we identify 923 km2 of suitable habitat surrounding Mussoorie in Northern India that requires further surveys. We conclude with a list of five priority survey sites as a starting point.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Josef Rehua Beautrais

<p>Senecio glastifolius (Asteraceae) is an invasive species in New Zealand, where it threatens rare and vulnerable coastal floristic communities. It has expanded its range dramatically over recent years and continues to spread. It is subject to control programs in parts of its distribution. Uncertainty over its future distribution and invasive impacts in New Zealand contribute to the difficulty of its management. To address this knowledge gap, the potential distribution of S. glastifolius in New Zealand was predicted, based on its bioclimatic niche.  Existing information on its current distribution and historic spread is incomplete, stored in disparate sources, and is often imprecise or inaccurate. In this study, available information on its distribution and spread was synthesised, processed, and augmented with new data collected in the field by the author. This data set was optimised for use in species distribution modelling.  The distribution of S. glastifolius is described in its native range of South Africa, plus invaded regions in Australia, the British Isles and New Zealand. The data set describing its distribution is of higher quality than any known previous data set, is more extensive, and more suitable for use in species distribution modelling. The historic spread of S. glastifolius in New Zealand is presented, illustrating its expansion from sites of introduction in Wellington, Gisborne, plus several subsequent sites, to its now considerable range throughout much of central New Zealand.  A predictive model of the potential distribution of S. glastifolius was created based on the three main climatic variables observed to limit its distribution: mean annual temperature range, aridity, and minimum temperature of the coldest month. MaxEnt models were trained on data from all regions for which georeferenced records of the species were available; South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Isles of Scilly. Predictions were evaluated using methods appropriate to the special case of range-expanding species. Models performed well during validation, suggesting good predictive ability when applied to new areas.  Analysis of the realised niche space of S. glastifolius in the two climatic dimensions most influencing its distribution: Annual Temperature Range and Aridity, indicated that it is exploiting almost totally disjunct niche spaces in New Zealand and South Africa. Of the climate space occupied in New Zealand, almost none is available to the species in its native range of South Africa.  Predictions of S. glastifolius’s potential distribution in New Zealand reveal significant areas of suitable habitat yet to be invaded. Much of this suitable habitat is contiguous with the current range and active dispersal front of S. glastifolius, suggesting that invasion is highly likely under a scenario of no management intervention. Specifically, it is suggested that control and surveillance in coastal Taranaki are required to prevent invasion of an area covering most of the northern third of the North Island.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Josef Rehua Beautrais

<p>Senecio glastifolius (Asteraceae) is an invasive species in New Zealand, where it threatens rare and vulnerable coastal floristic communities. It has expanded its range dramatically over recent years and continues to spread. It is subject to control programs in parts of its distribution. Uncertainty over its future distribution and invasive impacts in New Zealand contribute to the difficulty of its management. To address this knowledge gap, the potential distribution of S. glastifolius in New Zealand was predicted, based on its bioclimatic niche.  Existing information on its current distribution and historic spread is incomplete, stored in disparate sources, and is often imprecise or inaccurate. In this study, available information on its distribution and spread was synthesised, processed, and augmented with new data collected in the field by the author. This data set was optimised for use in species distribution modelling.  The distribution of S. glastifolius is described in its native range of South Africa, plus invaded regions in Australia, the British Isles and New Zealand. The data set describing its distribution is of higher quality than any known previous data set, is more extensive, and more suitable for use in species distribution modelling. The historic spread of S. glastifolius in New Zealand is presented, illustrating its expansion from sites of introduction in Wellington, Gisborne, plus several subsequent sites, to its now considerable range throughout much of central New Zealand.  A predictive model of the potential distribution of S. glastifolius was created based on the three main climatic variables observed to limit its distribution: mean annual temperature range, aridity, and minimum temperature of the coldest month. MaxEnt models were trained on data from all regions for which georeferenced records of the species were available; South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Isles of Scilly. Predictions were evaluated using methods appropriate to the special case of range-expanding species. Models performed well during validation, suggesting good predictive ability when applied to new areas.  Analysis of the realised niche space of S. glastifolius in the two climatic dimensions most influencing its distribution: Annual Temperature Range and Aridity, indicated that it is exploiting almost totally disjunct niche spaces in New Zealand and South Africa. Of the climate space occupied in New Zealand, almost none is available to the species in its native range of South Africa.  Predictions of S. glastifolius’s potential distribution in New Zealand reveal significant areas of suitable habitat yet to be invaded. Much of this suitable habitat is contiguous with the current range and active dispersal front of S. glastifolius, suggesting that invasion is highly likely under a scenario of no management intervention. Specifically, it is suggested that control and surveillance in coastal Taranaki are required to prevent invasion of an area covering most of the northern third of the North Island.</p>


2019 ◽  
Vol 133 (2) ◽  
pp. 130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sydney G. Cannings ◽  
Thomas S. Jung ◽  
Jeffrey H. Skevington ◽  
Isabelle Duclos ◽  
Saleem Dar

Collared Pika (Ochotona collaris) is a cold-adapted Beringian species that occurs on talus slopes and is sensitive to climate warming. Collared Pikas are patchily distributed throughout the sub-Arctic mountains of northwestern Canada and Alaska; however, information on their occurrence in the northern part of their distributional range is limited. In particular, no survey information is known from the southern Richardson Mountains and the Nahoni Mountains. We conducted aerial- and ground-based surveys to document Collared Pika occurrence and general habitat suitability in northern Yukon. We flew 505 km of aerial survey (not including ferrying to targetted survey areas) and performed ground surveys at 22 sites within the Richardson Mountains (including a portion of Dàadzàii Vàn Territorial Park) and the Nahoni Mountains in and adjacent to Ni’iinlii Njik (Fishing Branch) Territorial Park. Overall, suitable habitat for Collared Pikas was patchy in the mountains of northern Yukon—talus was sparse and many patches of talus appeared to be unsuitable. Collared Pikas were detected at eight of 22 (36%) sites visited, representing important new records for the species in the northern portion of their range. Our reconnaissance provides a first approximation of habitat suitability for Collared Pikas of the mountains of northern Yukon, as well as new records for the species in the region. These data are useful in better determining the contemporary distribution of Collared Pika through species distribution modelling, and may serve to identify areas for more detailed survey and monitoring initiatives for this climate-sensitive mammal.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly Mynott ◽  
Mark Abrahams ◽  
Daphne Kerhoas

AbstractThe Philippines is a global biodiversity hotspot, with a large number of Threatened bird species, one of which is the Critically Endangered Negros Bleeding-heart Gallicolumba keayi. The aim of this study was to investigate the habitat preference of the Negros Bleeding-heart and undertake species distribution modelling to locate areas of conservation importance based on identified suitable habitat. A survey of 94 point counts was undertaken and eight camera traps were deployed from May to August 2018 in the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park, Panay, Philippines. Habitat variables (canopy cover, understorey cover, ground cover, altitude, presence of rattan and pandan, tree diameter at breast height and branching architecture) were measured in 93 5 m-radius quadrats. To identify areas of potentially suitable habitat for the Negros Bleeding-heart, species distribution modelling was undertaken in MaxEnt using tree cover and altitude data on Panay and Negros. Using a Generalised Linear Model, Negros Bleeding-heart presence was found to be significantly positively associated with high understorey cover and dense canopy cover. Species distribution modelling showed that the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park is currently the most effectively located protected area for Negros Bleeding-heart conservation, while protected areas in Negros require further protection. It is imperative that protection is continued in the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park, and more survey effort is needed to identify other critical Negros Bleeding-heart populations, around which deforestation and hunting ban enforcement is strongly recommended.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
HOLLY MYNOTT ◽  
MARK ABRAHAMS ◽  
DAPHNE KERHOAS

Summary The Philippines is a global biodiversity hotspot, with a large number of threatened bird species, one of which is the ‘Critically Endangered’ Negros Bleeding-heart Gallicolumba keayi. The aim of this study was to investigate the habitat preference of the Negros Bleeding-heart and undertake species distribution modelling to locate areas of conservation importance based on identified suitable habitat. A survey of 94 point-counts was undertaken and eight camera traps were deployed from May to August 2018 in the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park, Panay, Philippines. Habitat variables (canopy cover, understorey cover, ground cover, elevation, presence of rattan Calamus or Daemonorops spp. and pandan Pandanus sp., tree diameter at breast height, and branching architecture were measured in 5 m-radius quadrats. To identify areas of potentially suitable habitat for the Negros Bleeding-heart, species distribution was modelled in MaxEnt using tree cover and elevation data on Panay and Negros. Using a Generalised Linear Model, Negros Bleeding-heart presence was found to be significantly positively associated with dense understorey cover and dense canopy cover. Species distribution modelling showed that the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park is currently the most suitably located protected area for Negros Bleeding-heart conservation, while protected areas in Negros require further law enforcement. It is imperative that protection is continued in the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park, and more survey effort is needed to identify other critical Negros Bleeding-heart populations, around which deforestation and hunting ban enforcement is strongly recommended.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 65398
Author(s):  
Didi Usmadi ◽  
Sutomo Sutomo ◽  
Rajif Iryadi ◽  
Siti Fatimah Hanum ◽  
I Dewa Putu Darma ◽  
...  

Citarum watershed is a region of approximately 6,610 km2 in West Java, Indonesia. Citarum watershed has been degraded through historical land use and vegetation clearing. Rehabilitation of Citarum watershed uses Indigofera tinctoria L. that has value as a source of natural blue dye and is considered suitable for the region. Species distribution modelling and Habitat suitability index (SDM/HSI) were undertaken for I. tinctoria. The occurrence and environment data (bioclimatic, topography, and soil type) were input to HSI. Results of the Indigofera tinctoria habitat suitability model in Citarum watershed are very good (0.9–1) for some parts of the Citarum watershed. The medium and high suitability areas were respectively 4.49% and 4.37% of the area were located in the lowlands (Bekasi Regency and Karawang Regency). Prediction based on climate modelling for 2050 and 2070 estimated that the medium-high suitability area of Indigofera tinctoria will be reduced relative to the present. 


Author(s):  
Rebecca Biddle ◽  
Ivette Solis-Ponce ◽  
Martin Jones ◽  
Stuart Marsden ◽  
Mark Pilgrim ◽  
...  

AbstractSpecies distribution models are widely used in conservation planning, but obtaining the necessary occurrence data can be challenging, particularly for rare species. In these cases, citizen science may provide insight into species distributions. To understand the distribution of the newly described and Critically EndangeredAmazona lilacina,we collated species observations and reliable eBird records from 2010–2020. We combined these with environmental predictors and either randomly generated background points or absence points generated from eBird checklists, to build distribution models using MaxEnt. We also conducted interviews with people local to the species’ range to gather community-sourced occurrence data. We grouped these data according to perceived expertise of the observer, based on the ability to identifyA. lilacinaand its distinguishing features, knowledge of its ecology, overall awareness of parrot biodiversity, and the observation type. We evaluated all models using AUC and Tjur R2. Field data models built using background points performed better than those using eBird absence points (AUC = 0.80 ± 0.02, Tjur R2 = 0.46 ± 0.01 compared to AUC = 0.78 ± 0.03, Tjur R2 = 0.43 ± 0.21). The best performing community data model used presence records from people who were able recognise a photograph ofA. lilacinaand correctly describe its distinguishing physical or behavioural characteristics (AUC = 0.84 ± 0.05, Tjur R2 = 0.51± 0.01). There was up to 92% overlap between the field data and community data models, which when combined, predicted 17,772 km2of suitable habitat. Use of community knowledge offers a cost-efficient method to obtain data for species distribution modelling; we offer recommendations on how to assess its performance and present a final map of potential distribution forA. lilacina.


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