Habitat Suitability Analysis Research Articles

Estimating densities and spatial distribution of a commensal primate species, the long‐tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis)

AbstractKnowledge about distribution of primate species and their densities is crucial for conservation and management. However, such information is often lacking or anecdotal, even for seemingly abundant species. Long‐tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) are distributed across southeast Asia and recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission Primate Specialist Group (IUCN SSC PSG) as both widespread and rapidly declining. Precise local density and abundance data are scarce across their range. To provide density and abundance estimates for a long‐tailed macaque population we conducted line transect distance sampling throughout Baluran National Park (250 km2), East Java, Indonesia covering all habitats. Long‐tailed macaque density was 41.4 ind/km2 (95% confidence interval, CI: 23.04–74.39), with an estimated abundance of 10,350 individuals (95% CI: 5,760–18,598). A density of 41.4 ind/km2 is lower than previous estimates for other sites in Java. Species distribution and habitat suitability analysis revealed a macaque preference for areas close to or on roads and trails, invasive acacia and/or native savannah. Long‐tailed macaques were provisioned with human food by commuters and tourists along roads and trails, probably structuring their distribution/habitat use. To evaluate if long‐tailed‐macaques have been overestimated for years, we also conducted a nonrandom point distance sampling survey according to macaque presence restricted to roads and trails. This survey provided density and abundance results much higher than the line transect distance sampling survey. Our study provides much needed baseline data for this species. Baluran National Park management and management in other areas can use these results to create informed management decisions regarding long‐tailed macaques. We recommend conducting systematic surveys of long‐tailed macaques throughout their range, and possibly reassessing conservation status, and conservation and management measures for long‐tailed macaques.

Identification of suitable habitat for Swamp Deer Rucervus duvaucelii duvaucelii (Mammalia: Artiodactyla: Cervidae) in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Swamp Deer is a globally threatened large-sized deer species confined within small patches of the Indian subcontinent. Historically, Swamp Deer occurred in Chitwan National Park, Nepal but was extirpated in the 1960s primarily due to widespread hunting. We assessed the habitat suitability at present for the Swamp Deer in Chitwan National Park using multi-criteria analysis in GIS and vegetation assessment using frequency, dominance, and cover. Within the 952.63km2 area of the national park, the habitat suitability analysis identified 14.57km2 as highly suitable, 134.87km2 as suitable, and 803.19km2 as moderate to least suitable area. Most of the national park’s grassland is suitable for Swamp Deer. Grassland is dominated by Saccharum spp.; Imperata cylindrica is the most widely distributed grass species followed by Saccharum spp., Narenga porphyrocoma, and Apluda mutica. Grass species of the Poaceae family are the most preferred species by Swamp Deer, which are found within short grasslands. The study revealed that Padampur Phanta could be the most suitable site for the reintroduction of Swamp Deer due to its highest proportion of short grass and availability of preferred food species and good habitat in comparison to other blocks. Invasion of swamps of Chitwan by Mikania micrantha and Eichornia crassipes could be a limiting factor for the habitat suitability of Swamp Deer.

Comparative Study in Habitat Suitability Analysis of Wild Water buffalo (Bubalus arnee) in Two Flood Plains of Chitwan National Park (CNP), Nepal

Comparative Study in Habitat Suitability Analysis of Wild Water buffalo (Bubalus arnee) in Two Flood Plains of Chitwan National Park (CNP), Nepal

A Laboratory Activity to Engage College Students in Habitat Suitability Analysis to Teach Conservation, Ecology, and Evolution

Solving conservation problems requires students to apply their knowledge of ecology and evolution. We present the Endangered Species Conservation through Habitat Suitability Analysis Laboratory Activity, in which students perform habitat suitability analyses for endangered freshwater species, compelling application of ecological and evolutionary principles. Students gather natural history information for endangered species native to Illinois, synthesize publicly available GIS/map data and habitat requirements for an endangered species, and present evidence-based proposals identifying geographical regions that should be set aside for protection. Students discuss current freshwater conservation issues and develop conceptual understanding of evolution, ecology, and conservation principles and processes. Students are prompted to consider human inclusion in freshwater ecosystems and its consequences. This laboratory investigation is effective in highlighting naïve conceptions of ecology, evolution, and conservation because students are prompted to provide rationale for their management decisions and engage in scientific discourse as they conduct their habitat suitability analyses.

Enhancing conservation network design with graph-theory and a measure of protected area effectiveness: Refining wildlife corridors in Belize, Central America

Maintaining connectivity among remaining natural areas has become increasingly important to ameliorate the negative effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on wildlife populations. Early corridor networks were based on structural connectivity (i.e. habitat structure) and designed to connect protected areas. In recent decades, many methods have been developed to increase the ecological realism of such corridor design to avoid misguided management. However, the multitude and complexity of methods can be a hurdle for conservation planners. Here, we combine a limited set of multiple methods to present a connectivity analysis framework that produces repeatable, intuitive, and ecologically relevant connectivity estimates. We use a modified habitat suitability analysis, accounting for protected area effectiveness, as a starting point for least-cost corridor estimates, and evaluate the network using graph theory. We apply the framework to an existing corridor network in Belize, Central America, by estimating potential functional connectivity for white-lipped peccaries Tayassu pecari between systematically identified core patches. We found that forest productivity and protected area effectiveness were important predictors of habitat suitability for white-lipped peccaries. The graph-theoretic network analyses identified particularly important core areas for overall landscape connectivity and indicated potentially weak links in the existing network, while the least-cost corridor outlines indicated general areas where the implementation of connectivity-enhancing measures could strengthen such weak links. With this study, we provide a framework to improve the scientific rigour, ecological meaningfulness, and conservation relevance of applied corridor network design.

Effects of climate change on niche shifts of Pseudotrapelus dhofarensis and Pseudotrapelus jensvindumi (Reptilia: Agamidae) in Western Asia.

Genus Pseudotrapelus has a wide distribution in North Africa and in the Middle East. In the present study, we modeled the habitat suitability of two Omani species of the genus (Pseudotrapelus dhofarensis and Pseudotrapelus jensvindumi) to evaluate the potential effects of climate change on their distribution. Mean diurnal range and precipitation of wettest quarter are the most highly contributed variables for P. jensvindumi and P. dhofarensis, respectively. The potential distribution for P. dhofarensis in the current time covers the southern coastal regions of Oman, Yemen, the Horn of Africa, and Socotra Island, but the suitable regions were reduced in the future prediction and limited to Yemen, Socotra Island, and Oman. There have not been any records of the species outside of Oman. Analysis of habitat suitability for P. jensvindumi indicated that the species is restricted to the Al Hajar Mountain of Oman and the southeast coastal region of Iran, but there are no records of the species from Iran. Because mean diurnal range will not be influenced by climate change in future, the potential distribution of the species is not expected to be changed in 2050. All predicted models were performed with the highest AUC (more than 0.97) using the Maxent method. Investigation to find unknown populations of these two species in Iran, Yemen, and Socotra Island is essential for developing conservation programs in the future.

A habitat suitability analysis at multi-spatial scale of two sympatric flying fox species reveals the urgent need for conservation action

In this study we used a multi-spatial scale approach to investigate habitat suitability, roosting characteristics, and ecological niche in two flying fox species on the Comoros Islands—Pteropus livingstonii and Pteropus seychellensis comorensis. At a broad scale, we assessed the ecological niche and habitat suitability for both species using the Species Distribution Modeling method based on the recent ensembles of small models (ESM) approach. At a fine scale, Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA) was applied to assess habitat selection by each species. Direct observation was used at each roost to estimate the total number of individuals and to identify the roost characteristics. At both broad and fine scales, the analyses highlighted clear niche partitioning by the two species. We found that P. livingstonii has a very limited distribution, restricted to steep, high-elevation slopes of the islands’ remaining natural forests, and the patterns were the same for roosting, foraging sites and the entire habitat. By contrast, P. s. comorensis has a relatively large geographic range that extends over low-elevation farmlands and villages and it was negatively correlated to natural forest across the entire area and all roosting sites, but its foraging areas were positively correlated to natural forest and high elevation areas. Both species selected large, tall trees for roosting. The total number of individuals in the studied area was estimated to be 1243 P. livingstonii and 11,898 P. s. comorensis. The results of our study demonstrated that these two species use different habitat types and ensure different ecosystem services in pollination and seed dispersion and thus are both critical for maintaining overall ecosystem dynamics. However, the currently high level of hunting pressure and roost disturbance makes them vulnerable to extinction. To ensure the viability of both species, conservation measures need to be taken by the Comoros government.

Habitat Suitability Analysis for Swamp Deer (Rucervus Duvaucelii) Using Geo-Spatial Tools in Dudhwa National Park

Dudhwa National Park (DNP), important conservation areas of India supporting the full range of threatened faunal and floral species. The Barasingha, swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii) considered as vulnerable, one of the flagship species. The satellite imagery of 1995, 2016 and 2017were used for Habitat Suitability Analysis (HSA) using multi-criteria analysis. The other primary and secondary data were also incorporated to generate habitat suitability model. Raster imageries of Landsat 5 and Landsat 8 were used to create various themes (variables) such as forest density, land use land cover, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) along with topographic details. The result indicates that out of total geographical area approximately 2.000000-2.100000(20-21%) is highly suitable, 1.900000(19%) is appropriate, 1.800000(18%) moderately suitable, 1.700000(17%) less suitable and 1.500000-1.600000(15-16%) area is least suitable. However, the study strongly advocates that the DNP is suitable landscape and grassland were noticed as one of the best habitat class for the conservation of swamp deer.

Using population viability analysis, genomics, and habitat suitability to forecast future population patterns of Little Owl Athene noctua across Europe.

The agricultural scene has changed over the past decades, resulting in a declining population trend in many species. It is therefore important to determine the factors that the individual species depend on in order to understand their decline. The landscape changes have also resulted in habitat fragmentation, turning once continuous populations into metapopulations. It is thus increasingly important to estimate both the number of individuals it takes to create a genetically viable population and the population trend. Here, population viability analysis and habitat suitability modeling were used to estimate population viability and future prospects across Europe of the Little Owl Athene noctua, a widespread species associated with agricultural landscapes. The results show a high risk of population declines over the coming 100 years, especially toward the north of Europe, whereas populations toward the southeastern part of Europe have a greater probability of persistence. In order to be considered genetically viable, individual populations must count 1,000–30,000 individuals. As Little Owl populations of several countries count <30,000, and many isolated populations in northern Europe count <1,000 individuals, management actions resulting in exchange of individuals between populations or even countries are probably necessary to prevent losing <1% genetic diversity over a 100‐year period. At a continental scale, a habitat suitability analysis suggested Little Owl to be affected positively by increasing temperatures and urban areas, whereas an increased tree cover, an increasing annual rainfall, grassland, and sparsely vegetated areas affect the presence of the owl negatively. However, the low predictive power of the habitat suitability model suggests that habitat suitability might be better explained at a smaller scale.

Distribution and habitat use of red panda in the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape of Nepal.

In Nepal, the red panda (Ailurus fulgens) has been sparsely studied, although its range covers a wide area. The present study was carried out in the previously untapped Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape (CHAL) situated in central Nepal with an aim to explore current distributional status and identify key habitat use. Extensive field surveys conducted in 10 red panda range districts were used to estimate species distribution by presence-absence occupancy modeling and to predict distribution by presence-only modeling. The presence of red pandas was recorded in five districts: Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Myagdi, Baglung and Dhading. The predictive distribution model indicated that 1,904.44 km2 of potential red panda habitat is available in CHAL with the protected area covering nearly 41% of the total habitat. The habitat suitability analysis based on the probability of occurrence showed only 16.58% (A = 315.81 km2) of the total potential habitat is highly suitable. Red Panda occupancy was estimated to be around 0.0667, indicating nearly 7% (218 km2) of the total habitat is occupied with an average detection probability of 0.4482±0.377. Based on the habitat use analysis, altogether eight variables including elevation, slope, aspect, proximity to water sources, bamboo abundance, height, cover, and seasonal precipitation were observed to have significant roles in the distribution of red pandas. In addition, 25 tree species were documented from red panda sign plots out of 165 species recorded in the survey area. Most common was Betula utilis followed by Rhododendron spp. and Abies spectabilis. The extirpation of red pandas in previously reported areas indicates a need for immediate action for the long-term conservation of this species in CHAL.

Revisiting revising Mexican wolf historical range: A reply to Hendricks et al.

Hendricks et al. () questioned our clarification of Mexican wolf historical range and our criticism of their expansion proposals far to the north and west. A recent habitat suitability analysis identifies large areas of high quality habitat in Mexico and the latest population viability analysis shows Mexican wolves can be recovered in their historical range. Expanding historical range descriptions based on poorly understood distribution of molecular markers is unnecessary and serves only to impede the recent successful progress to recover the Mexican wolf.

Wildlife habitat suitability analysis around Madihan forest, Mirzapur district, Uttar Pradesh, India: a Geospatial approach

The tropical dry deciduous forests of Mirzapur district in Uttar Pradesh (state) in India are facing severe threat from agricultural expansion, increased urbanization, infrastructure development and unsustainable use of forest produce. As a result the forests are now fragmented and wildlife habitat is vanishing. Dwindling numbers of wild animal species has become a cause of concern. The present study has analyzed satellite remote sensing data of Landsat OLI (2013) in conjunction with GIS and support of GPS to identify suitable habitat for wild animals. Various thematic maps like land use/land cover, forest cover type, lakes, roads and slope data were prepared in support of the objective of the paper. The weighted overlay method was used for integration of the thematic layers for identification of potential habitat and corridors for wild life movement. Most suitable (2.54%), moderately suitable (12.0%) and least suitable (16.20%) areas were delineated and represented in a map. Highly suitable habitat was found at Dadri and Kotwa forest. Moderately suitable habitat was found in Darhi Ram forests. Least suitable areas were found in the outer fringes of Kotwa, Dadri, Darhi Ram and Sarson forests. Such data is the pre requisite for wildlife conservation effort.

Effects of Bathymetric Grid-Cell Sizes on Habitat Suitability Analysis of Cold-water Gorgonian Corals on Seamounts

ABSTRACTWe investigated the effects of the spatial resolution of bathymetry data on the predicted local distribution of large gorgonian corals on the southern Emperor Seamounts in the high seas of North Pacific. Terrain attributes were calculated from bathymetric survey data at six different grid-cell sizes (25–800 m) to investigate how the values of bottom terrain attributes and the prediction of MaxEnt habitat suitability models would vary with grid-cell size. The values of each terrain attribute showed different patterns among different grid-cell sizes, and MaxEnt demonstrated better performance at grid-cell size of 100 m or less than at larger sizes.

Geo-spatial Analysis of Habitat Suitability for Common Leopard (Panthera pardus Linnaeus, 1758) in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal

Geo-spatial Analysis of Habitat Suitability for Common Leopard (Panthera pardus Linnaeus, 1758) in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal

Habitat suitability analysis for hippopotamus (H. amphibious) using GIS and remote sensing in Lake Tana and its environs, Ethiopia

This research was carried out from October 2013 to May 2014. Hippopotamus amphibious is a mammalian species distributed in different lakes and rivers where ecological requirements are fulfilled for its survival. Lake Tana and its environs are home to Hippopotamus amphibious. The species is identified as vulnerable worldwide due to habitat loss and poaching. However, despite its vulnerability, there is no research conducted regarding the species, and its environmental requirements in Ethiopia. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to carryout habitat suitability analysis and find out suitable habitat sites of hippopotamus within the Lake Tana and its environs using the integration of GIS and remote sensing techniques. The softwares such as, Arc GIS10.2, ERDAS IMAGINE2010, and Virtual satellite image downloader were used in this research. The data used were SPOT image of 2012 of the study area, bathymetric data of Lake Tana, DEM, Google Earth data and GCP. Running a suitability model requires estimation of weights by expertise for each individual criterion on GIS software. Thus, the habitats in Lake Tana and its environs ranging from most suitable to not suitable for hippopotamus were identified. It was shown that 50.88% of the areas under study was highly disturbed and became unsuitable to hippopotamus, 42.29% of the areas were moderately disturbed, and only 1.81% of the areas were revealed to be undisturbed. As the study result showed that in and around Lake Tana, a human factor was considered to be outweighing the physical factors to minimize the habitat for the aforementioned animal. The results revealed that only 22.54% of the study areas were identified as most suitable for the animal under study of which the large portions of the areas are located at the backside of settlements which are not easily accessible by the species, while 40.5% of the areas were found to be moderately suitable, and 36.96% were unsuitable habitats for hippopotamus. Based on the findings of the present study it was concluded that there was high interference of human being in the habitats of hippopotamus especially at the shores of the lake since the land were looked-for agricultural activities. Therefore, too much proximity of human activities in identified hippopotamus habitats have to be protected and conservation buffer surrounding the Lake has to be developed.

Stable Channel Design for Physical Disturbance Reduction and Analysis of Habitat Suitability

Stable Channel Design for Physical Disturbance Reduction and Analysis of Habitat Suitability

Spatially explicit uncertainty modeling of zoonotic pathogen distribution: a case of Listeria monocytogenes in New York State, USA

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that is responsible for causing Listeria, a disease that has a wide range of adverse effects such as meningitis, bacteremia, complications during pregnancy, and other fatal illnesses especially among those whose immune systems are compromised. The purpose of this study was to establish hotspot candidate sites in New York State where the L. monocytogenes pathogen could be found. Several suitability criteria which include proximity to water, pasture, forests, and urban development and slope among others in New York State were considered in this analysis. This study assessed which spatial habitat factors influence habitat suitability of the L. monocytogenes pathogen in the forested areas of New York State. Multicriteria evaluation was used to integrate the different habitat factors using their different weights expressed using probability distributions. Spatially explicit uncertainty and sensitivity analysis (UA and SA) was carried out to examine the robustness of habitat suitability analysis. Suitability maps were generated and summarized using an average suitability map, a standard deviation uncertainty map, and sensitivity maps. Results showed that the shallowest depth to a wet soil layer (measured annually) and proximity to water are the habitat factors which contribute the most and individually to the distribution and survival of this pathogen. The slope gradient is singly insignificant but influential when associated with other factors like temperature, soil organic matter content, volume of water soil can store, proximity to forest, urban development, and pasture among others. It was established that water is the key habitat factor that favors the survival of this pathogen. Also, the ability to spatially model zoonotic pathogen hotspots is important in zoonoses control, informing and influencing policy. From these results, it is important to maintain the water quality of the water sources (lakes, rivers, ponds) and ensure that there is limited runoff from slopes.

Habitat suitability of Scapharca subcrenata (Lischke) in the shallow water of the Xiaoheishan Island

The habitat suitability index (HSI) model was used to identify potential sites for sustainable restoration of ark shell, Scapharca subcrenata (Lischke), in the shallow water of Xiaoheishan Island, using a geographic information system framework. The seven input variables of the HSI model were sediment composition, water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, water depth, pH, and ammonia. A non-linear suitability function for each variable factor was used to transform the value into a normalized quality index ranging from 0 (nonsuitability) to 1 (best suitability). In present study, the analysis of habitat suitability was conducted for four seasons respectively. The majority of the study area has a high HSI value (>0.6) year round, which implies a strong suitability for restoration, with the optimal habitat located on the eastern side of the island. Correspondence analysis indicated that water temperature was the main factor causing seasonal variation, while sediment composition and water depth were the two major reasons for the differences in sites. The results of this work could provide support for restoration decision making through identification of potential sites for sustainable establishment of S. subcrenata.

A novel forest state assessment methodology to support conservation and forest management planning

A new forest state assessment methodology to complement existing conservation and forestry data has been developed. The aim is to provide tools for strategic planning including spatial distribution of conservation priorities. The method is point-based using a dense systematic sampling grid and provides more detailed information than vegetation maps or forest subcompartment descriptions, but requires less effort than forest inventories. Indicators include canopy composition and structure, deadwood, herbs, microhabitats, disturbances, shrubs and regeneration. The results can inform managers about the structural and compositional diversity of forest stands in the form of thematic maps and can provide the basis for analysis of habitat suitability for forest-dwelling organisms. A smartphone application has been developed to enable electronic data collection. PostGIS and Python scripts were used in the data flow. In this paper, we outline the development of the assessment protocol, and present the sampling design and the variables recorded. The main advantages of the survey methodology are also shown by case-studies based on data collected during the first field season in 2014. The protocol has been designed for low mountain forests in Hungary, but it can be modified to fit other forest types.

Habitat Suitability Modelling for Koklass Pheasant Using Geospatial Technology in Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary (H.P.) India

Pheasants are at the brink of destruction due to various anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, encroachment of their habitat area and excessive hunting. Koklass (Pucrasia macrolopha) species is facing tremendous pressures due to poaching and destruction of habitat. This species is classified as least concern species with decreasing population trend according to IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and also classified under endangered species according to Red Data Book of Zoological Survey of India. There is need to understand and manage habitats of species in order to prevent extinction of endangered species. Wildlife habitat suitability analysis using GIS have been found to be successful in many studies. In the present study, habitat suitability model for Koklass Pheasant of Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary, HP, India was developed using geospatial technology which predicts suitable habitat zone. Different thematic maps such as land use/cover, forest type, drainage, roads and sighting locations of Koklass Pheasant are overlaid using Weighted overlay analysis model. The Habitat Suitability model shows different habitat potential zones of this Pheasant which are 5.9%, 24.9%, 45.4% and 23.7% for least, moderate, moderately high and most suitable respectively. The least and moderate suitable zones could be due to various anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, road construction activities, grazing by domestic cattles, noise pollution and encroachment of land for agricultural purpose. Habitat suitability analysis of Koklass Pheasant can be considered as the initial phase towards the conservation approach of this species.