Integrating Maxent model and landscape ecology theory for studying spatiotemporal dynamics of habitat: Suggestions for conservation of endangered Red-crowned crane

Abstract

Abstract Numerous studies have been conducted on current distribution and future changes of habitats by researchers from a range of disciplines such as ecology, biology, geography, environmental science, and agricultural science, among others. However, there is a lack of detailed studies on historical spatiotemporal dynamics of habitat, which can provide useful information for the conservation and management of endangered species habitats. Thus, we proposed an integrated framework to assess historical changes of habitat across space and time, as well as to analyze the driving mechanism based on Maxent model and landscape theory. Here, we collected Red-crowned crane records and environmental variables including climate, elevation, wind farm disturbance, land use and land cover (LULC) type and disturbance, and road disturbance at regional scale from 1984 to 2017. Our results suggested that there was a dramatic decline in habitat area, habitat suitability and habitat connectivity. LULC disturbance was the major driving factor leading to the decline, followed by LULC type and wind farm disturbance. Importantly, our results quantified LULC disturbance threshold, LULC type suitability, and range of wind farm impact, which served to propose specific recommendations for habitat restoration. Our approach highlighted the importance of integrating species distribution models and landscape ecology theory for conservation, hence was widely applicable to endangered species in the context of increasing human activities.