Areas Of Potential Habitat Research Articles

Potential geographical distribution of Pyrus calleryana under different climate change scena-rios based on the MaxEnt model

To resovle the problems of in-situ conservation and resource utilization of Pyrus caller-yana, maximum entropy model (MaxEnt) and geographic information system (GIS) were used to predict the global ecological suitable region of P. calleryana in different climate scenarios based on 236 distribution data and 19 ecological factors. The results showed that the ecological suitable regions of P. calleryana were mainly concentrated in North America, Asia and other regions, with a total area of 1.6×107 km2. In China, the regions with high ecological suitability were Hunan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian provinces. The main factors affecting the geographical distribution of P. calleryana were mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation, followed by the seasonality of temperature. The model simulations indicated that P. calleryana would have different suitable habitat areas and marginally suitable habitat areas in different climate scenarios. In terms of the spatial distribution of the potential habitat area, both the distributional range and the center of distribution of suitable and marginally suitable habitat area would shift from east to west. The suitable habitat area in North America and marginally suitable habitat areas in Europe would increase rapidly.

Improving conservation effectiveness of nature reserve for golden snub-nosed monkey, a niche-based approach.

Reserve selections are often opportunistic rather than strategic and coordinated, and consequently, many reserves are ineffective to achieve their intended goals of conservation. Here, we assessed the conservation effectiveness of a reserve for the golden snub‐nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) with a niche‐based approach. We assessed habitat usage of the monkeys in Shennongjia Nature Reserve (SNR) and attributes of 14 environmental variables that could potentially affect the monkeys’ habitat use. Spatial distribution of potentially suitable habitat for the monkeys was then modeled with Maxent, a niche‐based model, and conservation effectiveness of SNR was assessed by comparing the current boundary of the reserve with the spatial distribution of the modeled potential habitat and the current habitat area of the monkeys. Only 59% of the habitat area and 61% of the predicted potential habitat area were under the protection of SNR. To improve conservation effectiveness of SNR, we proposed that the current SNR be enlarged by 270 km2. The enlarged reserve would encompass 100% of the existing habitat area plus 89% of the predicted potential habitat area. Using the niche‐based approach, we were able to integrate habitat usage data of the target species with that of remote sensing to identify areas potentially suitable as habitat for the species. This information can be used not only for improving conservation effectiveness of existing reserves but also for the effective planning and designing of new reserves.

Using habitat selection index for reserve planning and management for snub-nosed golden monkeys at landscape scale

Many wildlife species are known to actively select their habitat. Understanding habitat selection and use is crucial for conservation and management of endangered wildlife species. In this study, an index that can be used for reserve selection and management for the snub-nosed golden monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana), was developed. Environmental attributes of habitat and non-habitat sites of the Shennongjia District were analyzed. The relationship between habitat selection and effective range of the major variables were quantified. The results showed that elevation, distance to road and water, and vegetation were the most important contributors to the habitat selection index. Potential habitat areas of R. roxellana were predicted and mapped based on the index. Total area suitable as habitat for R. roxellana was estimated at 33,970 ha in Shennongjia District. Only 22% of the estimated habitat was within the current activity area of the animal and utilized. At the landscape scale, conservation of R. roxellana should therefore focus on expanding the current reserve to encompass areas with large patches of potential suitable habitat, planning road constructions away from habitat areas, and restricting road traffics on existing roads to improve connectivity between patches of potential habitat. The habitat selection index can be used for predicting potential habitat areas for endangered wildlife species such as R. roxellana, and thus is of immediate interest to practitioners and policy makers of wildlife conservation in their conservation planning and management decision-making.

When to monitor and when to act: Value of information theory for multiple management units and limited budgets

AbstractThe question of when to monitor and when to act is fundamental to applied ecology and notoriously difficult to answer. Value of information (VOI) theory holds great promise to help answer this question for many management problems. However,VOItheory in applied ecology has only been demonstrated in single‐decision problems and has lacked explicit links between monitoring and management costs.Here, we present an extension ofVOItheory for solving multi‐unit decisions of whether to monitor before managing, while explicitly accounting for monitoring costs. Our formulation helps to choose the optimal monitoring/management strategy among groups of management units (e.g. species, habitat patches) and can be used to examine the benefits of partial and repeat monitoring.To demonstrate our approach, we use case‐simulated studies of single‐species protection that must choose among potential habitat areas, and classification and management of multiple species threatened with extinction. We provide spreadsheets and code to illustrate the calculations and facilitate application. Our case studies demonstrate the utility of predicting the number of units with a given outcome for problems with probabilities of discrete states and the efficiency of having a flexible approach to manage according to monitoring outcomes.Synthesis and applications. The decision to act or gather more information can have serious consequences for management. No decision, including the decision to monitor, is risk‐free. Our multi‐unit expansion of Value of Information theory can reduce the risk in monitoring/acting decisions for many applied ecology problems. While our approach cannot account for the potential value of discovering previously unknown threats or ecological processes via monitoring programmes, it can provide quantitative guidance on whether to monitor before acting, and which monitoring/management actions are most likely to meet management objectives.

基于椭圆脐点突变模型的大熊猫生存状态研究

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 基于椭圆脐点突变模型的大熊猫生存状态研究 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201706041024 作者: 作者单位: 北京林业大学,北京林业大学,中华人民共和国国务院参事室 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 环保公益性行业科研专项（201509042） Survival status evaluation of giant panda based on elliptic catastrophe model Author: Affiliation: College of Forestry,Beijing Forestry University,College of Forestry,Beijing Forestry University,Counsellors'' Office of the State Council of the People''s Republic of China Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:得益于有力的保护，大熊猫受威胁等级由"濒危"降为"易危"。根据全国大熊猫调查数据，近年来，大熊猫野生种群与栖息地面积总体上均处于持续增加态势；同时，大熊猫栖息地破碎化与局域种群隔离也呈加剧的趋势。两相对比，形成悖论现象，难以正确认知当前大熊猫的生存状态。大熊猫作为高度特化的K对策大型动物，其生存高度依赖于栖息地生态系统，极易受栖息地丧失与破碎化的影响。对大熊猫生存状态的研究，不应局限于栖息地或种群等单项指标的变化，而应基于系统科学的整体视角。结合全国第三、四次大熊猫调查数据，对大熊猫野生种群数量与栖息地及潜在栖息地的面积进行复相关分析，发现大熊猫野生种群数量与栖息地、潜在栖息地的面积之间存在着高度显著正相关，表明三者之间存在着稳定而密切的耦合关系，进而建立了大熊猫种群与栖息地、潜在栖息地之间的耦合函数。突变理论作为一种成熟的系统科学理论，提供了较完备的数学方法，利用系统中少量的关键指标便可实现对系统行为的刻画。基于突变理论，以大熊猫分布区生态系统为研究对象，选取了大熊猫种群数量、栖息地与潜在栖息地的面积为系统关键指标，利用种群与栖息地、潜在栖息地之间的耦合函数，构建了"大熊猫-栖息地"系统椭圆脐点突变模型，对生态系统的稳定性进行研究。发现虽然野生种群数量、栖息地与潜在栖息地的面积均持续增长，但严峻的局域种群生存危机与栖息地的高度破碎化，从总体上削弱了系统的稳定性，大熊猫分布区生态系统的稳定性处于持续下降态势，且濒临系统临界状态，生态系统具有较大的退化压力，大熊猫的生存危机依然严峻。 Abstract:Owing to strong protection measures, the threat to giant pandas was reduced from "endangered" to "vulnerable" by the IUCN in 2016. In recent years, national surveys of giant pandas revealed that the wild populations and habitat areas had increased constantly. However, habitat fragmentation and population isolation have become a more serious threat. Therefore, it is difficult to evaluate the current survival state of pandas accurately, although this is necessary for their protection. As a highly specialized animal utilizing the K-strategy, pandas are strongly dependent on their habitat ecosystems, and vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and population isolation. Therefore, the survival status of giant pandas should be evaluated from the perspective of the ecosystem. Based on the third and fourth national survey data, a multiple correlation analysis of population size with area of habitat and potential habitat was performed. We found a highly significant correlation between giant panda populations and habitats, implying that habitat conservation was the key to panda protection, and that there was a stable and close coupling relationship between wild populations and habitats. From the perspective of panda protection, this correlation constituted the basis for studying the ecosystem and designing ecosystem models. As a mature theory of systems science, the catastrophe theory provides a method of constructing system models with several key indices in the system, which can ignore the internal mechanism of the system. Considering the ecosystem of the distribution area of giant pandas as the research object, the number of wild pandas, and the area of the habitat and potential habitat as the key indices, the catastrophe theory was applied to this ecosystem. Moreover, the catastrophe potential function of the ecosystem was constructed, and the elliptic catastrophe model was derived. We found that, although the habitat area and number of wild populations continued to grow, the severe local population survival crisis and habitat fragmentation had generally weakened the systems' stability. The stability of the ecosystem is decreasing gradually and is very close to a critical state. Therefore, the ecosystem is still being subjected to great degradation pressures, and the survival crisis of giant pandas remains serious. Based on the current population and their habitat status, we suggested that all habitats needed to be protected effectively in the short-term. In addition, considering each large habitat as the center, corridors need to be constructed to connect the large population with surrounding small populations. In the long-term, more corridors need to be designed and constructed to expand the "star" network into a complex network, which will effectively withstand any disturbance. The catastrophe theory and its mathematical models were based on the entire system, and they included the relationships between the key elements, rather than solely on a few indices. This theory provided a coherent framework for modeling the complex dynamics of ecosystems. There are seven elementary catastrophes and corresponding models in the catastrophe theory, which have various potential applications. In addition to the evaluation of risk for biodiversity and the ecosystem, it has universal applicability in the study of ecology and as a methodology of system analysis. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Quantifying the influence of geography and environment on the northeast Atlantic mackerel spawning distribution

AbstractMackerel (Scomber scombrus) in the northeast Atlantic have shown changes in distribution at certain times of the year, which have impacted their exploitation and management. In this study, mackerel spawning habitat over 21 recent years was characterised using generalised additive modelling, based on spatial egg density data collected every third year during targeted ichthyoplankton surveys. Mackerel spawning distribution was found to depend primarily on geographical variables (coordinates and bottom depth), with preferred spawning locations on the shelf‐edge from the north of the Iberian peninsula to the west of Scotland, with a maximum west of Ireland. Environmental drivers had a lesser influence on egg distribution. Dome shaped relationships were found with temperature and mixed layer depth, with respective optimum at 13°C and around –300 m. The model was used to reconstruct maps of the potential habitat (areas where conditions were suitable, but not necessarily used, for spawning). Little changes were observed over the years in the potential habitat, suggesting that the expansion of the egg distribution (realised habitat) was not triggered by changes in the environmental variables investigated. Little evidence was found for density‐dependent habitat selection. There was a tendency for mackerel to make more use of areas of lesser suitability in years with large stock size (1992 and 2010). This pattern, however, broke down in 2013, when stock size was the highest, as spawning occurred very south and concentrated in the most suitable habitat.

The impact of climate change and energy resources on biodiversity loss: Evidence from a panel of selected Asian countries

Abstract This study examined the relationships between climate change, energy resources, growth specific factors and their resulting impact on biodiversity loss in a panel of 18 selected Asian countries during the period of 2000–2014. The study employed panel fixed effect regression and panel quantile regression to assess the influence of different factors on biodiversity loss at low, medium, and high levels quantile distribution. The results show that climatic factors increase aquaculture production, whereas energy sources and growth specific factors affected the production of aquaculture in a panel of selected countries. Potential habitat area is affected by high population growth and renewable energy consumption whereas Global Environment Facility (GEF) biodiversity index is affected by average precipitation, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, and per capita income. Climatic factors and renewable energy both supported the total fisheries production, whereas nitrous oxide emissions, renewable internal freshwater resources, FDI inflows, per capita income, and population growth affected the production of total fisheries at different quantile distributions.

Measuring the impact of global tropospheric ozone, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide concentrations on biodiversity loss

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of air pollutants, including mono-nitrogen oxides (NOx), nitrous oxide (N2O), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon dioxide emissions (CO2), and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on ecological footprint, habitat area, food supply, and biodiversity in a panel of thirty-four developed and developing countries, over the period of 1995–2014. The results reveal that NOx and SO2 emissions both have a negative relationship with ecological footprints, while N2O emission and real GDP per capita have a direct relationship with ecological footprints. NOx has a positive relationship with forest area, per capita food supply and biological diversity while CO2 emission and GHG emission have a negative impact on food production. N2O has a positive impact on forest area and biodiversity, while SO2 emissions have a negative relationship with them. SO2 emission has a direct relationship with per capita food production, while GDP per capita significantly affected per capita food production and food supply variability across countries. The overall results reveal that SO2, CO2, and GHG emissions affected potential habitat area, while SO2 and GHG emissions affected the biodiversity index. Trade liberalization policies considerably affected the potential habitat area and biological diversity in a panel of countries.

An endemic rat species complex is evidence of moderate environmental changes in the terrestrial biodiversity centre of China through the late Quaternary

The underlying mechanisms that allow the Hengduan Mountains (HDM), the terrestrial biodiversity centre of China, to harbour high levels of species diversity remain poorly understood. Here, we sought to explore the biogeographic history of the endemic rat, Niviventer andersoni species complex (NASC), and to understand the long-term persistence of high species diversity in this region. In contrast to previous studies that have proposed regional refuges in eastern or southern of the HDM and emphasized the influence of climatic oscillations on local vertebrates, we found that HDM as a whole acted as refuge for the NASC and that the historical range shifts of NASC mainly occurred in the marginal regions. Demographic analyses revealed slight recent population decline in Yunnan and south-eastern Tibet, whereas of the populations in Sichuan and of the entire NASC were stable. This pattern differs greatly from classic paradigms of temperate or alpine and holarctic species. Interestingly, the mean elevation, area and climate of potential habitats of clade a (N. excelsior), an alpine inhabitant, showed larger variations than did those of clade b (N. andersoni), a middle-high altitude inhabitant. These species represent the evolutionary history of montane small mammals in regions that were less affected by the Quaternary climatic changes.

Determining potential habitat of Kermani Calligonum and Lentil Bead Salmaki in Sistan region of south eastern Iran

In this study, potential habitat of two species, Kermani Calligonum and Lentil Bead Salmaki in Sistan region was determined by using geographic information system and measurements of distance techniques. For intra-regional study, five habitants were randomly selected and in every location, 10 soil profiles were dug to a depth of 45 cm and soil samples were taken. According to samples taken in each profile parameters such as EC, texture, pH and organic matter in soil other physical parameters at each site such as altitude, temperature, evaporation, results show that Lentil Bead Salmaki in comparison with Kermani Calligonum is able to grow in soils with high salinity, less organic matter and soils with light texture and also tends to thrive and grow in acid soils. Finally, by combining different layers of information for each species, it was found that from total study area of 653,345 ha, three regions including 45,896 ha (7.02%) were suitable for growing Kermani Calligonum. 29,446 ha (4.5%) of this area belongs to habitat of Kermani Calligonum. Approximately remaining 16,450 acres (2.25% of the total area), is potential habitat and the results also indicated that three areas consisting of 8223 ha (1.25%) is suitable for Lentil Bead Salmaki growth. 1962 ha (0.3%) of this area belongs to Lentil Bead Salmaki habitat and the remaining 7546 ha (0.95%) is the area of potential habitat. The accuracy of determining the habitat (finding location) of the mentioned species is estimated to be over 95%.

Complex Messages in Long-Term Monitoring of Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in the State of Wisconsin, USA, 1988-2015.

The regal fritillary (“regal”) (Speyeria idalia) is endangered in Wisconsin, USA, and declining and at risk range-wide. During 1988–2015, we surveyed 24 known regal sites and >100 areas of potential habitat in Wisconsin. We recorded 9037 individuals in 742.7 km on the peak survey per year at occupied sites. At six sites surveyed over 5–25 years, we found regal fritillaries in only one year, mostly in the latter half of the study. The three populations in the state with more favorable trends than the median had a never-burned refugium and/or infrequent fire management. They also all had substantial amounts of grazing, haying, and/or mowing managements. Sites with trends below the regional median trend had frequent or moderate fire management, and either a diminishing never-burned refugium or none at all. Regal populations at sites with ≤15 ha of grassland have become undetectable. Nonetheless, Hogback, a slightly larger than 15 ha site, had the most favorable trend, a significant increase. Nearly all Wisconsin Regal populations known before 1990 declined to consistent non-findability, even though these were conserved sites. More favorable trends at more recently discovered populations may be attributable to species-specific habitat management protocols implemented in the 1990s. Two sites with better than median long-term trends represent the longest consistent land ownership of known Regal populations in the state. This wide range of population outcomes illustrates both the need for long-term monitoring and the challenges of explaining the outcomes. Despite evidence of increasing Regal dispersal, this species remains very localized, indicating the unsuitability of the wider landscape as regal habitat. The number of significantly declining or no longer detectable populations in Wisconsin indicates an ever more adverse landscape for this species. Sites will need to have habitat characteristics that are ever more optimal in a wide range of climatic conditions for Regal populations to persist.

Status of Dorcas gazelle ( Gazella dorcas ) in the area south of green mountain, Libya in 2007: challenges and opportunities for the future

Threats to Dorcas gazelle were examined and the rate of decrease in population was estimated in the area south of the Green Mountain in North-East Libya. The results were collected from questionnaires and focal interviews. All previous studies had reported significant decreased in Dorcas gazelle population throughout Libya during the last years of the twentieth century. The results showed that Dorcas gazelle continues to exist but in very low numbers. The number of groups of gazelle has decreased and the estimated rate of decline has increased to between 60 and 90 % in 2007. The decline has been noticeable with typical herd sizes of approximately 50 – 100 gazelle being reported before 1970, 10 – 15 gazelle seen in the 1970s, 5 – 10 gazelle in the 1980s and from the 1990s onwards, group sizes of only 3 or fewer gazelles. Shared use of habitat with domestic sheep and predators does not appear to be detrimental to Dorcas gazelle, but the main threat for this animal is humans, who lack awareness of its natural value. Some respondents believed that Dorcas gazelle had left their habitat and migrated to other safe areas, but this study showed that the number of Dorcas gazelle was decreasing rapidly, mainly because of overhunting. Further research is needed into the current distribution and numbers of surviving Dorcas gazelle. Aerial and ground surveys of areas of potential habitat should be carried out to establish the current status and distribution. There is an urgent need for the implementation of management programme to conserve the gazelle involving the participation of local people. Keywords: Gazella dorcas , Green Mountain, North-East Libya, Questionnaire survey, Conservation, Hunting

Under ice habitats for Antarctic krill larvae: Could less mean more under climate warming?

AbstractOverwintering of larvae underneath Antarctic pack ice is a critical stage in the life cycle of Antarctic krill. However, there are no circumpolar assessments of available habitat for larval krill, making it difficult to evaluate how climate change may impact this life stage. We use outputs from a circumpolar sea ice model, together with a set of simple assumptions regarding key habitat features, to identify possible regions of larval krill habitat around Antarctica during winter. We assume that the location and suitability of habitat is determined by both food availability and three‐dimensional complexity of the sea ice. A comparison of the combined area of these regions under current conditions with a warm climate scenario indicates that while total areal sea ice extent decreases, there is a consistently larger area of potential larval krill habitat under warm conditions. These findings suggest that decreases in sea ice extent may not necessarily be detrimental for krill populations.

Tourism in Austria: biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and growth issues.

This study examined the long-run and causal relationships between international tourism, biodiversity loss, environmental sustainability, and specific growth factors under the premises of sustainable tourism in Austria, by using a consistent time series data from 1975 to 2015. The results reveal that inbound tourism, per capita income, and population density affected the potential habitat area while population density largely affected the food production in a country. Inbound tourism and population density both deteriorate the environmental quality in a form of increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and fossil fuel energy consumption while per capita income reduces the fossil fuel energy consumption. Food exports increase per capita income, while food imports and population density both decrease economic growth. Inbound tourism and economic growth advance population density while forest area and food exports decrease the population density. The study supports growth-led tourism and growth-led food production in a country.

Changes in albacore tuna habitat in the northeast Pacific Ocean under anthropogenic warming

AbstractAlbacore tuna are widespread in the North Pacific Ocean and the basis of an important commercial fishery. These fish live mainly within a fairly narrow thermal niche range defined by sea surface temperature (SST) isotherms between 14 and 19°C. Because the fish's thermal range coincides with strong latitudinal temperature gradients off the northwest coast of North America, there is a great deal of seasonal and interannual variability in the distribution of these fish, and a significant potential for a new habitat in this region with anthropogenic climate change. We use historical catch and effort data from the Canadian troll fleet to define the fish's thermal niche, and document observed shifts in distribution associated with interannual climate variability. We then use an ensemble of climate model simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project to estimate northward extension of the potential habitat under anthropogenic warming scenarios. A potential new habitat is about half a million square kilometres even under a moderate mitigation scenario. Estimates are smaller for some months of the year in which the fishery is conducted, but as well as opening up new regions, the length of season in which the fishery is active may be extended in the northern part of the range. However, much of the potential new habitat will be in oceanic waters with relatively low productivity. Our estimated area of potential habitat is based on the fish's thermal niche and assumes that other biologically important factors such as food will not be limiting.

The winter distribution of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaeus

SummaryDeclines in populations of the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaeus have been rapid, with the breeding population now perhaps numbering fewer than 120 pairs. The reasons for this decline remain unresolved. Whilst there is evidence that hunting in wintering areas is an important factor, loss of suitable habitat on passage and wintering areas is also of concern. While some key sites for the species are already documented, many of their wintering locations are described here for the first time. Their wintering range primarily stretches from Bangladesh to China. Comprehensive surveys of potential Spoon-billed Sandpiper wintering sites from 2005 to 2013 showed a wide distribution with three key concentrations in Myanmar and Bangladesh, but also regular sites in China, Vietnam and Thailand. The identification of all important non-breeding sites remains of high priority for the conservation of the species. Here, we present the results of field surveys of wintering Spoon-billed Sandpipers that took place in six countries between 2005 and 2013 and present species distribution models which map the potential wintering areas. These include known and currently unrecognised wintering locations. Our maximum entropy model did not identify any new extensive candidate areas within the winter distribution, suggesting that most key sites are already known, but it did identify small sites on the coast of eastern Bangladesh, western Myanmar, and the Guangxi and Guangdong regions of China that may merit further investigation. As no extensive areas of new potential habitat were identified, we suggest that the priorities for the conservation of this species are habitat protection in important wintering and passage areas and reducing hunting pressure on birds at these sites.

Leveraging limited information to understand ecological relationships of endangered Florida salt marsh vole

Abstract We were able to substantially increase our knowledge of what is likely the least understood endangered terrestrial mammal in the United States, the Florida salt marsh vole (FSMV; Microtus pennsylvanicus dukecampbelli). We developed a predictive landscape model that estimated 264 ha of potential habitat for FSMVs. Evaluating our model, we found voles at 8 of the 36 sites sampled, yielding a model accuracy of 22% for a subspecies that previously was known from only 3 locations. Within areas of potential habitat, FSMVs selected patches of marsh vegetation > 0.49 ha with at least some (≥ 16.75% and ≤ 43.61%) smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) cover. Suggestive of a meta-population dynamic, FSMV activity decreased outside of patches of smooth cordgrass and saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) identified by the predictive landscape model. Our hierarchical approach to studying FSMVs allowed us to leverage a limited amount of data to ultimately produce important ecological information about an endangered species. This approach easily may be adapted to other mammals with similar information needs.

Beaked whale acoustic versus visual detection

Because of their sensitivity to anthropogenic noise, research on beaked whale habitat is particularly important. During 2010 and 2011, NATO Undersea Research Centre (NURC) conducted sea trials dedicated to marine mammals, in areas of potential beaked whale habitat. The first one took place in North Eastern Atlantic Ocean, Southwest of Portugal, and the second one took place in the Gulf of Genoa, Mediterranean Sea. For both trials: weather conditions allowing, during daylight there were two teams of visual observers, working in two shifts, scanning the horizon and taking note of marine mammal encounters. Acoustic data were collected with the CPAM (Compact Passive Acoustic Monitoring), designed by NURC. The total usable bandwidth is up to 80 kHz. The CPAM was deployed at a depth between 100 and 200 m for about 20 h a day Beaked whale detection obtained by visual observers and by passive acoustic are analyzed. The number of detections and the information obtained by each method are compared. The advantages and drawbacks are highlighted.

A preliminarily assessment of landscape factors affecting habitat use by Przewalski horses and habitat evaluation in Hustai National Park, Mongolia

Przewalski horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) bred in captivity in foreign zoos have been reintroduced to Hustai National Park (HNP) in Mongolia. To successfully return horses to their former wild habitat, we need reliable information regarding their habitat use. Hence, the purposes of this study were to examine the landscape context affecting habitat use by Przewalski horses and to identify potential suitable habitat areas in HNP. To clarify the factors affecting the horses’ habitat use, we constructed a generalized linear model (GLM) based on fecal counts taken from 48 randomly sampled field plots in HNP. The fecal number counted in each plot was defined as the dependent variable in the model, and we included seven explanatory variables that may affect Przewalski horses’ habitat use: distance to a river, distance to forest, distance to a road, slope, difference of elevation with surroundings, number of plant communities, and presence of dominant forage plant categories. Finally, we used the most parsimonious model to identify potential suitable habitat areas on a cell-based map of HNP. The GLM that best explained fecal density was the full model containing all explanatory variables, indicating that Przewalski horses’ habitat use is influenced by resources essential to maintaining their survival and by the livelihood of risk. According to our habitat evaluation based on the most parsimonious model, it appears that suitable habitat areas were scattered in the outer side of HNP. These results indicate that Przewalski horses could extend their habitat area beyond their current distribution.

A comparison of automated and traditional monitoring techniques for marbled murrelets using passive acoustic sensors

Autonomous sensors and automated analysis have great potential to reduce cost and increase efficacy of wildlife monitoring. By increasing sampling effort, autonomous sensors are powerful at detecting rare and elusive species such as the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus). New approaches must be tested for comparability to existing methodologies, so we compared the results of inland audio–visual and of automated acoustic monitoring for marbled murrelets, conducted during the 2010 breeding season, at 7 sites in the Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA. We found automated acoustic surveys and analysis had fewer detections per morning compared with audio–visual surveyors, but the rate of automated acoustic detections per morning was positively and strongly correlated with the rate of audio–visual detections per mornings (r = 0.96, P < 0.01). Furthermore, acoustic monitoring sampled 10 times more mornings per site ( = 48) than were monitored by human surveyors ( = 4.4) at a comparable cost. We used resampling to estimate the power to detect murrelet presence with acoustic sensors at >80% within 8 continuous days of recordings, even at low-activity sites. Our results suggest that autonomous sensor and automated analysis approaches could greatly increase the scale and efficacy of murrelet monitoring, allowing for more cost-effective surveying of large and remote areas of potential habitat, as well as, improved ability to measure changes in inland activity. Further study of passive acoustic recordings would be valuable to examine for acoustic signs of breeding phenology, and site occupancy, if acoustic surveys are to replace the utility of audio–visual surveys. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.