Habitat Suitability Analysis Research Articles

GIS and remote sensing-based wildlife habitat suitability analysis for mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) species mapping at Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Ethiopia's Bale Mountains National Park protects the continent's largest remaining alpine environments. This park was first suggested in 1973 to safeguard its great biodiversity, including the endangered Mountain Nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) and Red Foxes. Despite these conservation measures, the lack of infrastructure and the enormous area projected have resulted in significant wildlife habitat fragmentation. The purpose of this study is to analyse the habitat appropriateness of the Mountain Nyala in Bale Mountains National Park using GIS and remote sensing technologies in order to inform conservation efforts and assist park managers in making decisions. To identify potential habitats for the Mountain Nyala, the study employed GIS spatial analyst techniques such as the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Landsat 9 (OLI/TIRS) data, as well as key environmental factors such as vegetation types, soil types, topographic factors (elevation and slope), climate factors (temperature), and proximity factors (distance to settlements, roads, and rivers). The Weights of these factors was calculated using IDRISI32 Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) with the pair-wise comparison method. These weighted factor maps were then integrated through weighted overlay analysis to model wildlife habitat suitability. The analysis revealed five classes of habitat suitability; of the total land area studied, 1326.7 km2 (60%) was deemed suitable for the Mountain Nyala while 881.3 km2 (40%) was unsuitable. Specifically, 327.4 km2 (15%) was classified as highly suitable, 240.7 km2 (11%) as moderately suitable, 758.6 km2 (34%) as marginally suitable, 352.4 km2 (16%) as currently not suitable, and 528.9 km2 (24%) as permanently not suitable. The majority of suitable habitats are concentrated in the northern part of the park, along the western border, and in the Harrena forest area. This study provides vital insights into habitat suitability that are crucial for the conservation of the Mountain Nyala and the overall management of the park.

Geospatial analysis of elephant habitat suitability and movement for mapping the elephant corridor in Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary (India).

Wildlife and natural resources constitute an integral part of the ecosystem, whereas human interventions dismantled the living conditions of the wildlife. This is testified in the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary (DWS) where the habitats of Asian elephants have changed due to human intervention and deforestation over the decades. The present study aimed to assess the elephant habitat suitability in the DWS of Jharkhand state (India) using the geospatial parameters such as forest density, degree of slope, proximity to water bodies, land use land cover, proximity to agricultural land, built-up density, and road density. The analytical hierarchical process technique was utilized to determine habitat preference and selection of relevant factors to categorize criteria. The study revealed that about 6.7% (26.74 km2) of the area is very highly suitable for elephant habitat, while 52.26% (208.49 km2) of the forest area was found highly suitable. The most suitable habitat was identified in the core parts of the forest, while the least suitable areas were found in the southern part, where the presence of roads, built-up, and agricultural land was prominent. It was also observed that most human-elephant conflicts were exhibited in the low and very low suitable areas, while 90% of the elephant movement was witnessed in the high and very high suitable areas. Among the four identified corridors, three are inactive, and their location corresponds with low to very low suitable habitats. The study identified the migratory corridor routes inside the sanctuary where effective management is required for the conservation of elephant habitats and minimizing conflicts.

Integrating Entropy Weight and MaxEnt Models for Ecotourism Suitability Assessment in Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park

The development of ecotourism in protected areas faces the challenge of balancing conservation and ecotourism. Ecotourism suitability assessments are essential tools for managing tourism in these areas. However, current assessments often overlook biological factors, leading to adverse effects on wildlife. This study uses the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park as a case study to establish a comprehensive assessment system that integrates ecotourism suitability with tiger and leopard habitat suitability, thereby linking ecotourism with wildlife conservation. The primary research methods include ecotourism suitability analysis based on the entropy weight method and habitat suitability analysis using the MaxEnt model. Based on the zoning results of ecotourism and habitat suitability, a comprehensive ecotourism suitability zoning map was produced. This map indicates that areas of very high suitability account for 45.62% of the total area, covering approximately 6152.563 km2, and are primarily located on the edges of village clusters. These areas can be prioritized for developing tourism infrastructure. The comprehensive ecotourism assessment system can balance the development of ecotourism with wildlife conservation, contributing significantly to the coordinated development of economic, social, and environmental objectives.

Masked invader in Iran! Habitat suitability analysis for invasive raccoon (Procyon lotor) in the west of Guilan Province.

Nowadays, in addition to the destruction and fragmentation of the world's habitats, invasive species, and damage caused by them, are one of the most important factors in the destruction of ecosystems. The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a medium-sized mammal that is placed in mid-levels of the food web and can affect a wide range of species. Considering the damage done to local ecosystems by this invasive species, habitat assessment and determining the factors affecting its habitat suitability would be a key step in managing this species. In this study, using the MaxEnt model and examining 12 environmental parameters (elevation, slope, aspect, geological units, soil type, vegetation, land use, distance to villages, distance to main roads, distance to waterways, average temperature, and rainfall) in the west of Guilan Province, habitat suitability of this alien species was determined, and the most important factors affecting this suitability were investigated. Results showed that the validity value of the model (AUC) was estimated to be 0.852 and parameters such as distance to village (34.5%), elevation (24.2%), and land use (15.9%) are among the most important and effective factors. Also, the results showed that 0.60% of the study area has high suitability, 6.14% moderate, 24.87% low, and 68.36% unsuitable areas for raccoons. The overall result shows that despite the lack of vast favorable areas for this invasive species, an increase in the number and expansion of this species is very likely because of its omnivorous diet, high adaptability to different environments and conditions, as well as extensive niche. All of these factors cause raccoons to spread further in the region and consequently increase the risks and damages to the native ecosystem.

Factors influencing appearance and suitable habitat for wild elephants in the Khao Yai National Park, Thailand

Abstract. Nanla Y, Marod D, Duengkae P, Paansri P, Noowong J, Manitoem C, Sukmasuang R. 2024. Factors influencing appearance and suitable habitat for wild elephants in the Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. Biodiversitas 25: 3061-3072. Protected areas are designated to conserve biodiversity and provide a safe habitat for wildlife. This study aims to investigate the factors affecting elephant appearance and changes in habitat. The maxEnt program was used to analyze data derived from the patrolling system with constant quality monitoring. Four categories of environmental factors, climatic, physiological, biological, and anthropological factors were used to analyze the wild elephant data yearly from 2017 to 2022. The aim was to understand the effect of environmental factors on the wild elephants’ appearance and their habitat suitability. The results showed an average area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.81±0.004 SD. The results indicated that climatic (42.97%), physiological (32.62%), and anthropological (21.23%) factors affected the appearance of wild elephants significantly. Temperature factors showed the highest percentage contribution (39.04%), while water sources and salt licks, considered physiological factors, contributed 22.13% and 5.06%, respectively. Habitat suitability analysis revealed that the majority of the park area (64.91%) was categorized as unsuited and poorly suited habitat areas, while 35.07% was categorized as moderated and well-suited habitat areas for wild elephants. Implementing strategies to improve water sources and salt lick sites within the park and managing the area to minimize human disturbance both on the surrounding boundaries and the tourist destination sites are recommended to manage the wild elephant.

Wildlife habitat suitability analysis and mapping the former dhidhessa wildlife sanctuary using GIS-based analytical hierarchal process and weighted linear combination methods

Management of wildlife populations and the creation of conservation programs depend on the evaluation of wildlife habitats. Habitat suitability mapping is a technique typically used to map appropriate environmental factors and assess species existence in different areas. This study aims to map wildlife habitat suitability sites in Former Dhidhessa wildlife sanctuary, Ethiopia, using GIS-based Analytical Hierarchal Process and Weighted Linear Combination Methods. This study used both primary and secondary data sources. Datasets used to collect data include Digital Elevation Model (DEM), Landsat 9 (OLI/TIRS) and population data. Beside, large mammalian species occurrence data obtained from field survey was used. To map wildlife habitat suitability sites in Former Dhidhessa wildlife sanctuary, environmental factors such as proximity of road network, distance to surface water, land use land cover types, slope, population density and topography were used with the integration of species occurrence data recorded from the study area. These environmental factors scaled to common ranges, and assigned appropriate weights. The quantile classification method was utilized to classify suitability index into five zones (unsuitable, less suitable, moderately suitable, suitable, and highly suitable) to produce the map. Accordingly, the model revealed that 18.9 % of the study area is highly suitable, 19.5 % is suitable, 19.9 % is moderately suitable, 19.5 % is less suitable, and 22.2 % is unsuitable for wildlife. About 58.3 % of the study area is currently identified as suitable for wildlife whereas 41.7 % is unsuitable. This showed that the former Dhidhessa wildlife sanctuary is still having large suitable habitats that can support wide ranges of wildlife. Hence, based on the developed preliminary habitat suitability indices and maps, the federal and local governments shall reevaluate the status of former Dhidhessa wildlife sanctuary and develop future conservation and management plans to enhance the conservation of wildlife and their habitats in the area.

Habitat Suitability and Determinants for Anatidae in Multi-Watershed Composite Wetlands in Anhui, China.

Habitat suitability analysis is essential in habitat and species conservation. Anatidae are known for their migratory behaviour, high population density, and wide distribution range. Understanding their habitat utilzation and influencing factors is crucial in targeted conservation and management. In this study, we collected Anatidae diversity data, including the number of species, through field surveys from October 2021 to March 2022 and thirty habitat variables through an online database in Anhui Province, China. By using MaxEnt, we simulated the habitat suitability of twenty-one Anatidae species, revealing potential distribution sites in Anhui Province. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) were employed to identify factors affecting the distribution of geese and ducks. The results showed that high-suitability habitats were predominantly located in the large lakes of the Yangtze River floodplain. The GLMM analysis showed significant correlations between Anatidae richness and altitude, distribution of farmland, and human footprint. In addition, ducks were more sensitive to the human interference factor than geese. In summary, the lakes in the Yangtze River floodplain emerged as the most important Anatidae habitats in Anhui Province due to their abundant wetland resources, flat terrain, and high distribution of farmlands. These findings provide a scientific basis for the development of relevant conservation strategies and measures, aiding in wildlife epidemic monitoring, prevention, and control.

Get out from my field! The role of agricultural crops in shaping the habitat selection by and suitability for the crested porcupine in Central Italy

‘Agricultural pests’ is a locution used to indicate those wild species considered as dangerous to crops. The crested porcupine Hystrix cristata is a semi–fossorial rodent considered as one of the main agricultural pests by farmers in Italy. Assessing the role of agriculture in shaping the porcupine’s space use is of great importance to develop proper management and conservation strategies. The goal of this study was to quantify the degree of habitat selection by and suitability for porcupines in Central Italy to assess the potential influence of agricultural fields on the ecology of this rodent. The habitat suitability analysis was realized using presence–only data implemented in the MAXENT Software, while the habitat selection analysis was carried out using the Jacobs’ selectivity index. Our research revealed that croplands have an important role in the overall habitat suitability for porcupines. However, during the warm period, all habitats were used according to their availability. Conversely, orchards, vineyards, and olive groves were preferred during the cold period. Our findings suggest that the use of agricultural crops in accordance with their availability during the warm season and the preference shown for orchards, vineyards, and olive groves during the cold one, highlight that porcupine–famer negative interactions may occur in the area. The implementation of proper prevention measures is therefore strongly suggested, especially during the cold period, to reduce the potential impacts on agriculture.

Gafftopsail Catfish in Texas estuaries: Population trends and ecosystem implications

AbstractObjectiveGiven the limited information on population dynamics of Gafftopsail Catfish Bagre marinus in the western Gulf of Mexico, the objectives of this study were to determine the status of this species in Texas estuaries by assessing trends in relative abundance, length, and habitat preferences from fishery‐independent trawl (juvenile) and gill‐net (adult) data, as well as angler harvest trends from fishery‐dependent creel surveys collected in all Texas estuaries.MethodsFishery‐independent and ‐dependent monitoring data were collected by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in all major bay systems of the Texas coast from 1983 to 2022. Linear trend analysis was used to assess trends across the full time series and all major bay systems for both juvenile and adult specimens and for total recreational harvest. Boosted regression tree analysis was used to assess habitat preference for both juveniles and adults.ResultBoth juvenile and adult catch rates consistently increased in most Texas estuaries, with the most extreme increases occurring in central Texas coast estuaries beginning in the early 2000s. During the same time frame, mean lengths of adult specimens significantly decreased in many of the same estuaries. Habitat suitability analysis suggested that Gafftopsail Catfish were primarily influenced by salinity, though they still exist across a very broad range of salinity conditions. Angler catch rates showed some localized patterns of increasing or decreasing trends, though they generally did not follow fishery‐independent trends for most estuaries.ConclusionThese trends interpreted in the context of the known trophic role of Gafftopsail Catfish imply the potential for larger ecosystem‐level effects on both prey organisms and competitors. A more thorough awareness of these trends and potential interactions should help fisheries managers operate in an ecosystem‐based context when investigating population dynamics and recommending management strategies.

Comparative analysis of habitat suitability for a crop and its primary insect herbivore: providing insights for crop planting and pest management strategies

Habitat suitability analysis using species distribution models (SDMs) presents a valuable approach for determining appropriate land utilization strategies and crop planting decisions, which are vital to achieve optimal agricultural productivity and ensure environmental sustainability in the context of rapid global change. Aside abiotic conditions, pests emerge as the most important biological factor affecting crop growth. It can be an effective avenue to comprehensively assess land use suitability by building and integrating SDMs for both crops and their pests. Using the MaxEnt model and a bivariate map, we predicted and integrated the habitat suitability of tea (Camellia sinensis) and its primary insect herbivore (Empoasca onukii) in China. Our study explicitly revealed spatial heterogeneity in suitability between the two species, despite finding that they shared common environmental predictors (i.e., temperature, elevation, and soil pH). Results support South China and Southwest China as the most favorable areas for tea cultivation, while highlighting the adverse climatic challenges on tea growth in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and in the northern regions of the Yangtze River. Meanwhile, analyses emphasize the necessity of sustainable leafhopper management strategies in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and in regions along the southeast coast. These findings demonstrate the significance of comparative analysis on the habitat suitability of both crops and insect herbivores, providing valuable insights for agricultural production planning and sustainable pest management. Furthermore, the methods employed in this study hold potential for the application in diverse context, ranging from the control of invasive species to the conservation of endangered biodiversity.

Habitat Suitability, Distribution Modelling and GAP Analysis of Przewalski's Gazelle Conservation.

Although the population of Przewalski's gazelle (Procapra przewalskii) has increased, this species is still threatened by a variety of risk factors, such as habitat loss and fragmentation, grassland fencing, grazing conflict, the segmentation of different populations, and declines in population genetic diversity. In order to determine the potential suitable habitat of Przewalski's gazelle and find a new suitable location for its conservation translocation, we used the MaxEnt model to predict the suitable habitats in Qinghai Province, Gansu Province, and the Ordos Plateau in Inner Mongolia and other regions with historical distribution records. On the basis of the MaxEnt model's prediction of the potential suitable habitat of Przewalski's gazelle, we used GAP analysis to determine the existing protection gaps and provide a new reference for the future protection of Przewalski's gazelle. We found that altitude, temperature, vegetation type, and distance from roads were the main environmental factors affecting the geographical distribution of Przewalski's gazelle. Most of the suitable habitat of Przewalski's gazelle is confined around Qinghai Lake. GAP analysis revealed that most of the suitable habitats of Przewalski's gazelle are not included in the established reserves, and Qinghai Lake National Nature Reserve only covers a small area around Qinghai Lake. The whole reserve only accounts for 7.11% of the area of the suitable habitat for Przewalski's gazelle and 15.79% of the area of the highly suitable habitat for Przewalski's gazelle. We suggest that conservation translocation for Przewalski's gazelle should be put on the agenda. It is necessary to consider reintroducing these gazelles into their potential suitable habitats as a feasible way of establishing new populations and saving this species.

Distribution of sika deer (Cervus nippon) and the bioclimatic impact on their habitats in South Korea

Invasive species and climate change are primary factors influencing biodiversity, and examining the behavior of invasive species is essential for effective conservation management. Here, we report the global distribution of the sika deer (Cervus nippon) based on locations reported in published literature (Google Scholar), the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) database, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature report. We used the maximum entropy (Maxent) model to examine the impact of climate change on sika deer habitats in South Korea based on GBIF occurrence data and WorldClim bioclimatic variables. Habitat suitability analysis was performed using the Maxent model under Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) 4.5 and 8.5 (for predicted climatic conditions in both 2050 and 2070) to project the effects of different climate change scenarios on South Korean sika deer habitats. We identified that the sika deer is distributed in 39 countries worldwide. Due to climate change effects, South Korean sika deer habitats will decline by approximately 24.98% and 20.63% (under RCP 4.5) and by 50.51% and 57.35% (under RCP 8.5) by 2050 and 2070, respectively. Our findings shed light on sika deer ecology and provide reference data for future conservation management strategies and policy design.

Simulation and analysis of red-crowned crane habitat suitability using maximum entropy and information entropy models

The red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) is a rare waterfowl species that is sensitive to environmental changes in its habitat selection; as such it effectively reflects the variation in wetland landscapes. Therefore, analysis of the habitat suitability for the red-crowned crane can be used to determine the species requirements and to predict its potential habitat distribution, thereby providing a basis for the protection of wetlands and endangered species. In this study, the Landsat satellite remote sensing data of Zhalong Wetland from 1996 to 2019 were used to simulate the nest coordinates of red-crowned cranes using a binary logistic model and to simulate the distribution of suitable habitat via a maximum entropy model. Moreover, an information entropy model was used to examine the yearly changes in habitat suitability and the underlying mechanisms and influencing factors. These two entropy models were combined to simulate the habitat suitability distribution and variation with high accuracy, determine the contribution rates of influencing factors, and provide data for analyzing interannual changes. The following results were obtained. First, the habitat suitability was highest in the center, core area and decreased towards the periphery of Zhalong Wetland. Second, the habitat suitability increased in some regions in the south, decreased in some areas in the north, and remained unchanged in the majority of the peripheral regions. Third, habitat suitability was primarily impacted by landscape patterns, distances to rivers and ditches, and vegetation. Red-crowned cranes preferred to reside far from human disturbance in wetlands near rivers with reeds (Phragmites australis) as the dominant species.

GIS-Based Analysis of Wildlife Habitat Suitability and Conservation Strategies in Maasai Mara Reserve

The significance of conducting an animal habitats suitability analysis is to enhance sustainable management in the face of land use modification, population growth, and changing settlement patterns, thereby safeguarding Kenya's natural resources, tourism, biodiversity, resource utilization, and community livelihoods. This paper establishes a habitat suitability analysis of specific animal habitats based on GIS technology. Firstly, key indicators were identified and subjected to the single factor analysis. Secondly, the AHP model was employed to calculate the weights of the indicators. A comprehensive evaluation was then carried out to visualize the animal habitat suitability map. Finally, the results of the animal habitat suitability analysis were overlaid with the spatial data of the road network. Overall, the results show that the suitable habitat for wildlife habitat is concentrated in the eastern and western corners of the Masai Mara Reserve, evenly distributed in the south-eastern corner, with a small amount in the north. The impact of lost opportunities for people living near the reserve will be significantly reduced. A kernel density estimation model was introduced to make predictions based on the first law of geography. The visualized predictions show that the habitable range of animals is relatively close to the results of model 1, which proves that animal populations and the quality of human life are secure.

THE LAND COVER CHANGE EFFECT FOR JAVAN RHINOCEROS SITE SUITABILITY

Abstract. The Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) is one of the endemic animals in Java, Indonesia, which is currently threatened with extinction and is included in the 25 species program as the top priority for the Indonesian government. In 2021 the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry said that only 75 Javan rhinos remained in Ujung Kulon National Park in Banten Province. Ujung Kulon National Park is the primary habitat of the Javan rhino, so it requires special attention to protect this habitat. One of the reasons for the reduced population of the Javan rhinoceros is the diminishing availability of habitat. Habitat reduction occurs due to changes in land cover due to human activities. This study aims to identify changes in the habitat suitability of the Javan rhinoceros due to human pressure. Parameters of human pressure will be identified using changes in land cover in 2000 and 2018. Remote sensing and GIS technology will be used to monitor habitat suitability for endemic animals over a large area and a long time. The Javan rhino habitat suitability analysis in 2000 and 2018 will integrate geographical, environmental, and meteorological parameters. The MCDA (Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis) method will determine a decision from several suitability parameters. Based on observations of human activities parameters, there have been significant changes to land cover from 2000–2018, especially in residential areas, which negatively impacted the suitability of the Javan Rhino's habitat. The results of this study can identify priority areas that require protective action for the Javan Rhinoceros habitat. This research is expected to be the basis for protecting endangered endemic animals, especially the Javan Rhinoceros, so their habitat is preserved.

The Classification of Riparian Habitats and Assessment of Fish-Spawning Habitat Suitability: A Case Study of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China

After the completion of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), there was a significant and drastic transformation of the original river habitat. These changes led to the loss of the original fish habitat and the emergence of a new habitat. To effectively classify and assess fish-spawning habitats in the TGR, a novel coastal complexity index (CCI) was developed. The CCI was formulated utilizing satellite remote sensing data and considering the river coastal line and river centerline on the river-reach scale. By integrating the CCI with river morphology, five river habitats were identified: the backwater bay, point bar, straight river channel, convex-bank point bar, and concave-bank deep pool. In order to evaluate the suitability of these habitats for sticky-egg-spawning fish, a single-factor habitat suitability curve was constructed using three key habitat factors: the CCI, slope, and vegetation coverage. This process involved the employment of two distinct methods: the habitat utilization method and the habitat preference method. The former only considered the survey data of spawning grounds, while the latter integrated the overall distribution of habitats in the TGR. Subsequently, a habitat suitability index (HSI) was established to assess the overall suitability of the identified habitats for sticky-egg-spawning fish. The results demonstrated a high classification accuracy, with the backwater bay representing the most prevalent habitat type, accounting for 43.31% of the total habitat types. When considering slope and vegetation coverage, the optimal ranges obtained through the two habitat suitability analysis methods were similar. However, for the CCI, there were variations in the optimal ranges obtained using the two methods. The habitat utilization method indicated an optimal interval of 2–4, while the habitat preference method provided an optimal interval of 4–8. Nonetheless, the assessment results for the spawning habitats’ suitability using both methods yielded essentially identical outcomes. Specifically, the backwater bay, convex-bank point bar, and concave-bank deep pool habitats exhibited higher suitability for spawning than point bar and straight river channel habitats. Further analysis revealed that approximately 75% of the 230 identified backwater bays were categorized as high-quality or higher-quality spawning habitats. In the time since this research was conducted, its findings have served as a theoretical foundation for the protection of aquatic biological resources and habitats.

Determination of forest priority levels for wild boar by analysis of habitat suitability and landscape connectivity

The reduction and fragmentation of forests due to human activities are two primary factors that have led to forest biodiversity losses. The lack of forest continuation may prevent organisms from escaping areas that are no longer habitable due to altered environmental conditions and the reduction in size of habitat regions. Therefore, protecting and promoting forest connectivity has become one of the important objectives of forest management. The forests were regarded as independent elements, and the connectivity of the forest itself was directly evaluated in previous studies. However, this approach ignores the maintenance of forest connectivity, while requiring the participation of other landscape elements. In this study, we indirectly determine the forest priority by evaluating the landscape priority by integrating analysis with the habitat suitability (HS) model, MSPA and and BCkPC and dPCk index. We studied the wild boar (Sus scrofa) habitats in and around Hupingshan and Houhe National Nature Reserves to illustrate the indirect evaluation method of forest priority. The results showed that forests with high priority, medium priority, low priority, and non-priority comprised 596, 64, 58 and 105 km2, respectively, accounting for the 41.2, 2.7, 3.0, and 11.9% of the total forest area. Our research revealed that evaluating the forest priority by analysing the landscape priority was an effective method for forest priority identification, and this strategy can be used to other regions or species for the goal of identifying the forest priority for biodiversity conservation.

Habitat suitability analysis in a natural peat swamp forest on Sumatran elephants using remote sensing and GIS

ContextIt is essential to assess the suitable habitat for elephants in order to mitigate the effects of forest fragmentation on conservation.AimsThis study aimed to estimate the potential suitable habitats for Sumatran elephants in the fragmented forest in the Padang Sugihan wildlife reserve area in southern Sumatra, Indonesia.MethodsThe habitat suitability was analyzed using some environmental factors such as slope, elevation, land cover, distance to rivers, and distance to agricultural areas. The remote sensing, geographic information system (GIS), and MaxEnt model were used to determine the potential habitat suitability for Sumatran elephants.ResultsThis study revealed areas of suitable habitat were evenly distributed throughout the study area, with the composition being suitable (45%), highly suitable (5%), and less suitable (50%). This study revealed the most suitable habitats were found in dense forest areas (gelam or Melaleuca cajuputi forest), which were highly affected by river adjacency, whereas agricultural areas resulted in constrained suitability and fragmentation of forested areas.ConclusionsAs a whole, the estimation of elephant habitat using remote sensing and GIS may guide the development of conservation strategies for elephant conservation in this region.

Spatiotemporal evaluation of waning grassland habitats for swamp deer conservation across the human-dominated upper Gangetic Plains, India

SummaryGrassland habitats currently face severe anthropogenic exploitation, thereby affecting the survival of grassland-dependent biodiversity globally. The biodiversity-rich grasslands of India lack quantitative spatiotemporal information on their status. We evaluated the status of upper Gangetic Plains grasslands in 2015 and compared it with those from 1985, 1995 and 2005. On-ground mapping and visual classifications revealed a 57% decline in these grasslands between 1985 (418 km2) and 2015 (178 km2), mostly driven by habitat conversion (74% contribution by cropland). Limited radiotelemetry data from endemic swamp deer indicated a possible grassland-dominated average home range size of 1.02 km2, and these patches were highly preferred (average Ivlev’s index = 0.85) over other land-use classes at both spatial and temporal scales. Camera-trapping within the core habitats suggests the critical use of these patches as fawning/breeding grounds. Habitat suitability analysis indicates only c. 17% of the area along the Ganges is suitable as swamp deer habitat. We recommend the protection of these critical grassland patches to maintain ‘dynamic corridors’, with restoration and other management approaches involving multiple stakeholders to ensure the survival of this critical ecosystem.

Marmara Bölgesinde seçilen bazı Meşe türlerinin gelecekteki potansiyel yayılış alanlarının tahmin edilmesi

In this study, climate simulations were obtained by reducing the global model results to 2.5 km resolution with the COSMO-CLM model with a dynamic downscaling approach. Bioclimatic variables corresponding to the reference years 2031-2040, 2051-2060, 2071-2080 and 2091-2100 were calculated by using high-resolution meteorological parameters produced from the current and future RCP8.5 emission scenario. With the help of the MaxEnt program run with these variables, habitat suitability analysis was carried out for Quercus frainetto, Q. cerris, Q. petraea and Q. infectoria species distributed in the Marmara Region. When examining the obtained results, it has been concluded that the areas of Quercus frainetto, Q. cerris and Q. petraea increase while the area of Quercus infectoria decrease. It has been revealed that the suitable areas for Quercus frainetto increase from 2020 to 2050, but the highly suitable areas decrease from 2050 to 2070. Furthermore, it has been found that there will be an increase in the highly suitable areas from 2070 to 2100, while both less suitable and suitable areas will experience a decrease. It has been determined that future climatic conditions will increase the habitat suitability of Quercus cerris and Q. petraea and will create the most favourable conditions for their establishment. In contrast, it has been observed that the suitable areas for Quercus infectoria are projected to increase from 2020 to 2050 but decrease from 2050 to 2070 and subsequently from 2070 to 2100.