scholarly journals How a river course influences the species richness and ecological requirements on two opposite riverbanks in a forest area

2015 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-22
Author(s):  
Bożenna Czarnecka ◽  
Anna Rysiak ◽  
Łukasz Chabudziński
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
River Valley ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Ecological Indicator ◽  
Ground Floor ◽  
Ecological Requirements ◽  
Topographic Attributes ◽  
Ground Floor Vegetation

The goal of the present research was to find correlations between the topographic attributes of a river valley and local ground-floor vegetation and its habitat requirements expressed by ecological indicator values (EIV), using the geographical information systems (GIS), digital elevation model (DEM), and multivariate statistical analysis. We paid special attention to the river course, which determines the differentiation in slope aspects and the amount of solar radiation reaching the ground surface. The model object was an almost latitudinal, ca. 4-km-long break section of the Sopot river, crossing the escarpment zone of the Central Roztocze Highlands, southeastern Poland. The main material comprised species lists (with estimated abundance) for each ca. 200-m-long section, according to the river valley course, separately for the left and right riverbanks, 40 sections altogether, ca. 15 000 vegetation records, and physical and chemical soil measurements. A 3-meter resolution DEM was derived from a 1:10 000 topographic map. We calculated the correlations between the topographic attributes of the valley, species richness, and the EIVs for all the species recognized in each section of the valley. We found 241 herb plant species in the ground-floor vegetation of the study area. We did not find significant differences between the two riversides (61 ±13 species per one section for the left and 63 ±17 for the right side). Thus, the parallel course of the river valley does not change the species richness on a more “sunny” and more “shiny” riverbank. However, this factor “cooperating” with other topographic attributes of the valley significantly differentiates the shape of species showing various requirements for basic habitat resources: light, moisture, soil trophy, reaction, dispersion, and organic-matter content.

Assessment of flora diversity in a minor river valley using ecological indicator values, Geographical Information Systems and Digital Elevation Models

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 220-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bożenna Czarnecka ◽  
Łukasz Chabudziński
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Digital Elevation Models ◽  
River Valley ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Ecological Indicator ◽  
Indicator Values ◽  
Vascular Flora ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
A Minor

AbstractEllenberg indicator values (EIV) have been widely used to estimate habitat variables from floristic data and to predict vegetation composition based on habitat properties. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Digital Elevation Models (DEM) are valuable tools for studying the relationships between topographic and ecological characters of river systems. A 3-meter resolution DEM was derived for a. 3-km-long break section of the Szum River (SE Poland) from a 1:10,000 topographic map. Data on the diversity and ecological requirements of the local vascular flora were obtained while making floristic charts for 32 sections of the river valley (each 200 m long) and physical and chemical soil measurements; next, the data were translated into EIV. The correlations of the primary and secondary topographic attributes of the valley, species richness, and EIV (adapted for the Polish vascular flora) were assessed for all species recognized in each valley section. The total area and proportion of a flat area, mean slope, slope curvature, solar radiation (SRAD), and topographic wetness index (TWI) are the most important factors influencing local flora richness and diversity. The highest correlations were found for three ecological indicators, namely light, soil moisture, and soil organic content. The DEM seems to be useful in determination of correlations between topographic and ecological attributes along a minor river valley.

scholarly journals Topographic attributes and ecological indicator values in assessing the ground-floor vegetation patterns

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-22
Author(s):  
Bożenna Czarnecka ◽  
Anna Rysiak ◽  
Łukasz Chabudziński
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Ecological Indicator ◽  
Indicator Values ◽  
Topographic Wetness Index ◽  
Model Object ◽  
Species Lists ◽  
Topographic Attributes ◽  
Ecological Indicator Values

Abstract The paper discusses the question whether geographical information systems (GIS) and digital elevation models (DEM) are useful tools for studying correlations between topographic attributes of a given area, and vascular flora requirements reflected by ecological indicator values (EIVs). The model object was a 4-km-long gorge section of the Sopot river valley (80.5 ha), the Central Roztocze Highlands, South-East Poland. Species lists for 40 ca. 200-m-long and 100-350-m-wide sections, according to the river course, separately for the left and right riverbanks, were made. The analysis of the area was based on a 3-meter resolution DEM. We applied primary topographic attributes: slope, and planar, vertical, and total curvatures and also secondary topographic attributes: solar radiation (SRAD) and topographic wetness index (TWI), as well as other terrain characters: denivelation, total, flat and upslope area of each section. Using the multivariate analyses, we analysed relationships between weighted averages of EIVs for each species and topographic attributes. The GIS and DEM became useful tools for the detection of patterns of species with different habitat requirements. The species number correlated positively with the total and flat area of a section and the TWI, while the denivelation, mean slope and upslope area had a reverse vector. Among the most frequent and abundant herb species, we found several spatial patterns of distribution, namely those of: Maianthemum bifolium, Carex remota, C. acutiformis, Filipendula ulmaria, Dryopteris filixmas, and Urtica dioica. The rarest species represented Ajuga genevensis, Scorzonera humilis, and Stachys palustris patterns.

Freshwater mussel abundance and species richness: GIS relationships with watershed land use and geology

2002 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 310-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly E Arbuckle ◽  
John A Downing
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Freshwater Mussel ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Alluvial Deposits ◽  
Stream Flows ◽  
Watershed Land Use ◽  
Groundwater Flux

We tested the hypotheses that mussel species richness and density are related to landscape features of watersheds. Measures of species richness and mussel density were estimated at 118 sites in 36 watersheds in the state of Iowa, U.S.A., a landscape characterized by >90% agricultural development. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and regression analyses examined seven land use categories and nine geological descriptors, determining that both mean density and species richness were best correlated with mean watershed slope and the prevalence of alluvial deposits. Our analyses imply that agricultural watersheds with high slopes impact mussel abundance and richness through siltation and destabilization of stream substrate. Because alluvial deposits improve groundwater flux to streams, results suggest that relatively stable stream flows in alluvial watersheds improve mussel persistence. A second set of 82 observations on 38 independent watersheds corroborates the analyses, although historical and local impacts cause correlations between new observations and predictions to be weak.

scholarly journals Analysis of Differences in the Spatial Distribution among Terrestrial Mammals Using Geodetector—A Case Study of China

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Yao Chi ◽  
Tianlu Qian ◽  
Caiying Sheng ◽  
Changbai Xi ◽  
Jiechen Wang
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Individual Factor ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Spatial Differences

The survival and distribution of animals cannot be separated from a certain environment. How patterns in mammalian species depend on the environment remain unclear. This study incorporating spatial data on climate, precipitation, topography, and vegetation quantitatively analyzed the influence of specific geographical factors on the spatial distribution of terrestrial mammalian richness using the Geodetector model. We used the spatial analysis method of geographical information systems (GIS), separating the mammalian distribution of 621 species into 10 by 10 km grids to measure spatial richness. Our results showed that there were significant spatial differences in terrestrial mammalian richness in China. There was a low richness in the east and west, but high richness in the south. Individual factor detection results showed that annual precipitation (AP) and the minimum temperature of the coldest month (MTCM) were the dominant factors affecting the spatial pattern of mammal richness in China. Patterns in the distribution of species richness had distinct characteristics for different mammalian orders and were influenced by different environmental factors. The richness distribution of most orders was mainly affected by MTCM and AP. Interactive detection results showed that interacting factors in pairs play much bigger roles in the spatial distribution of species richness than individual factors. The synergistic effect of elevation with AP and MTCM best explained the distribution differences of species richness. We found that the Geodetector model is a valuable tool, hoping to be more widely used in biogeography.

scholarly journals The world in your hands: GeoHealth then and now

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Bergquist ◽  
Samuel Manda
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
World Health ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Ecological Requirements ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Infectious diseases transmitted by vectors/intermediate hosts constitute a major part of the economic burden related to public health in the endemic countries of the tropics, which challenges local welfare and hinders development. The World Health Organization, in partnership with pharmaceutical companies, major donors, endemic countries and non-governmental organizations, aims to eliminate the majority of these infections in the near future. To succeed, the ecological requirements and real-time distributions of the causative agents (bacteria, parasites and viruses) and their vectors must not only be known to a high degree of accuracy, but the data must also be updated more rapidly than has so far been the case. Current approaches include data collection through terrestrial capture on site and satellite-generated information. This article provides an update of currently available sources of remotely-sensed data, including specific information on satellite-borne sensors, and how such data can be handled by Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Computers, when equipped with GIS software based on common spatial denominators, can connect remotely-sensed environmental records with terrestrial-captured data and apply spatial statistics in ways uniquely suited to manage control activities in areas where vector-borne infections dominate.

The role of the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) as an umbrella species for Andean ecoregions

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofía Crespo-Gascón ◽  
José Guerrero-Casado
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Threatened Species ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Distribution Range ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Vertebrate Species ◽  
Umbrella Species ◽  
Present Distribution

Context The concept of umbrella species has been proposed as a surrogate for the conservation of a wider range of species and ecosystems. This concept has, however, frequently been questioned by researchers because of the lack of empirical evidence to support it. Aims The aim of the present study was to test the role of the spectacled bear, Tremarctos ornatus (FG Cuvier, 1825), also known as Andean bear, as a putative umbrella species for the 12 Andean ecoregions it inhabits. Methods The number of threatened vertebrates, as well as the total number of vertebrate species (mammals and birds) existing in areas where the spectacled bear is present (distribution range) and absent, were compared within each ecoregion to assess the role of spectacled bear as an umbrella species, using geographical information systems. Key results In absolute terms, the spectacled bear could be considered an umbrella species, because 20.6% of the area of the 12 ecoregions was covered by the bear’s distribution range, and the total numbers of both vertebrate species richness and threatened species were higher in areas where the bears were present than in those where they were absent. However, the results showed that the differences with regard to the number of species in areas in which the bears were present and absent depended on the ecoregion and the targeted taxa. Conclusions These results suggest that the effectiveness of the spectacled bear as an umbrella species is not widespread, because conserving the areas in which bears are present may not always equate to greater conservation benefits (higher species richness) in all the ecoregions for all the taxa. Implications If spectacled bear is used as an umbrella species, it is necessary to consider both the ecoregions and the targeted taxa whose conservation would be improved as a result of the preservation of the spectacled bear’s distribution range.

Assessment of land-use change in coastal areas through geographical information systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Verónica Lango-Reynoso ◽  
Karla Teresa González-Figueroa ◽  
Fabiola Lango-Reynoso ◽  
María del Refugio Castañeda-Chávez ◽  
Jesús Montoya-Mendoza
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Coastal Ecosystems ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Coastal Zones ◽  
Computer Based

Objective: This article describes and analyzes the main concepts of coastal ecosystems, these as a result of research concerning land-use change assessments in coastal areas. Design/Methodology/Approach: Scientific articles were searched using keywords in English and Spanish. Articles regarding land-use change assessment in coastal areas were selected, discarding those that although being on coastal zones and geographic and soil identification did not use Geographic Information System (GIS). Results: A GIS is a computer-based tool for evaluating the land-use change in coastal areas by quantifying variations. It is analyzed through GIS and its contributions; highlighting its importance and constant monitoring. Limitations of the study/Implications: This research analyzes national and international scientific information, published from 2007 to 2019, regarding the land-use change in coastal areas quantified with the digital GIS tool. Findings/Conclusions: GIS are useful tools in the identification and quantitative evaluation of changes in land-use in coastal ecosystems; which require constant evaluation due to their high dynamism.

A protocol for sampling pastures in hill country

2016 ◽  
Vol 78 ◽  
pp. 203-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.J. Hutchinson ◽  
D.R. Scobie ◽  
J. Beautrais ◽  
A.D. Mackay ◽  
G.M. Rennie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Random Sampling ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Accurate Estimate ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Topographic Complexity ◽  
Hill Country

To develop a protocol to guide pasture sampling for estimation of paddock pasture mass in hill country, a range of pasture sampling strategies, including random sampling, transects and stratification based on slope and aspect, were evaluated using simulations in a Geographical Information Systems computer environment. The accuracy and efficiency of each strategy was tested by sampling data obtained from intensive field measurements across several farms, regions and seasons. The number of measurements required to obtain an accurate estimate was related to the overall pasture mass and the topographic complexity of a paddock, with more variable paddocks requiring more samples. Random sampling from average slopes provided the best balance between simplicity and reliability. A draft protocol was developed from the simulations, in the form of a decision support tool, where visual determination of the topographic complexity of the paddock, along with the required accuracy, were used to guide the number of measurements recommended. The protocol was field tested and evaluated by groups of users for efficacy and ease of use. This sampling protocol will offer farmers, consultants and researchers an efficient, reliable and simple way to determine pasture mass in New Zealand hill country settings. Keywords: hill country, feed budgeting, protocol pasture mass, slope

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