Habitat Evaluation Research Articles

Evaluation of Historic Breeding Habitats with a View to the Potential for Reintroduction of the Oriental White Stork (Ciconia boyciana) and Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) in Korea

The Oriental White Stork (Ciconia boyciana) and the Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) are wetland species listed as "Endangered" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The two species were once common on the Korean peninsula, but have experienced a severe population reduction in the past decades. Currently, they are officially extinct in Korea. At present, reintroduction programs to release the birds to the wild are in progress in Korea as well as in Japan. In this study, we surveyed the historic breeding sites of the two species using the literature and face-to-face interviews with local people as a step toward determining appropriate breeding habitats for reintroduction. We found 26 historic breeding sites for the Oriental White Stork in Chungcheong-do and Gyeonggi-do, but did not find any breeding sites for the Crested Ibis. These findings suggest that the Oriental White Stork was resident, while the Crested Ibis was a winter visitor to Korea. Based on these results, we discuss the possibilities for successful reintroduction of the two species in Korea.

A hydrogeomorphic dynamics approach to assess in‐stream ecological functionality using the functional flows model, part 1—model characteristics

AbstractThe functional flows model integrates hydrogeomorphic processes and ecological functions for stream physical habitat evaluations. Functional flows are discharge values that serve ecological uses. Assessments of functional flows are based on evaluation of shear stress dynamics. The analysis is based on the occurrence of sediment transport regimes defined by threshold values of Shields stress estimated from discharge (Q), a parameter (f) governing depth response to incremental discharge changes, water surface slope (S) and media grain size (D50). As an example, the model was tuned for fall‐run Chinook salmon spawning. Ecological functions studied were bed occupation (spawning, incubation and emergence) and bed preparation (river bed reworking periods)—both reliant on shear stress dynamics. A numerical experiment and sensitivity analysis using a wide range of realistic values of input variables indicated the effect of each variable on flow functionality. Combinations of S = 0.001, 0.005 and 0.01, D50 = 0.02, 0.05, 0.1 m, f = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and four sediment transport stages produced 144 scenarios. Ranges of functional flows were greater for scenarios for low f (0.2) with low slope (0.001,0.05), for high f (0.5) with small grain size (0.02 m) and for intermediate low f (0.3) with coarse grain size (0.1 m). The functional flows model incorporates in‐stream habitat processes by including metrics of hydrologic, hydraulic, geomorphic and ecologic dynamics. Model uncertainties related to input data, calculation algorithms, and model structure are analysed. Functional flows analysis can be useful in studying water management alternatives to improve habitat conditions for target species and lifestages. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

서식지 평가 방법을 이용한 바다숲 조성 해역의 적지 선정

A habitat evaluation method was used to estimate the optimum suitability of the study area for the target algae. Habitat evaluation was carried out using an habitat evaluation procedure (HEP) so that the optimum suitability was quantitatively estimated for carrying out marine afforestation in the study area. According to the results of the suitability analysis, the variation of light and wave conditions according to depth showed the factors with the largest impact to involve the spatial distribution of suitable locations within the area. The total suitable area selected was calculated to be 18ha. The quality of the target algae (Ecklonia cava Kjellman) habitat was analyzed using an habitat suitability index (HSI) model of the HEP, which showed 0.55-0.907 (the maximum value being 1.0). This indicated that artificial reefs for afforestation should be installed to zonation type because the suitable area selected (The HSI value was 0.55~0.907) was distributed within the same depth line.

An integration of habitat evaluation, individual based modeling, and graph theory for a potential black bear population recovery in southeastern Texas, USA

Population recovery is difficult for species that require large contiguous areas of habitat, particularly within areas of heterogeneous land ownerships. Ecologically, potential for recovery success requires assessment of quantity, quality, and distribution of available habitat. Our objective was to evaluate habitat for a possible Louisiana black bear recovery in southeastern Texas. First, we categorized land cover and identified remote areas of highly suitable habitat. Next, we used the individual based simulation model J-walk to estimate ability of female black bears to move among remote habitat patches. Then, we applied graph theory to J-walk output to evaluate overall connectivity of remote habitat. An estimated 225,626 ha of remote habitat were identified in 901 patches, most of which was located within the eastern half of the study area. Network analysis showed specific areas where targeted conservation efforts may help black bear population expansion throughout the study region. Ultimately, enough habitat area exists to sustain a black bear population and it is best connected among public and private lands largely within the eastern half of the study area. Habitat evaluation will need to be revisited if black bears establish themselves locally and actual habitat use data become available. Regardless, our analysis demonstrates an important first step that may be incorporated into a larger adaptive management framework, updated, and replicated as more-detailed habitat suitability and land use data are available.

Habitat evaluation of wild Amur tiger ( Panthera tigris altaica) and conservation priority setting in north-eastern China

The Amur Tiger ( Panthera tigris altaica) is one of the world’s most endangered species. Recently, habitat fragmentation, food scarcity and human hunting have drastically reduced the population size and distribution areas of Amur tigers in the wild, leaving them on the verge of extinction. Presently, they are only found in the north-eastern part of China. In this study, we developed a reference framework using methods and technologies of analytic hierarchy process (AHP), remote sensing (RS), geographic information system (GIS), GAP analysis and Natural Break (Jenks) classification to evaluate the habitat and to set the conservation priorities for Amur tigers in eastern areas of Heilongjiang and Jilin Provinces of northeast China. We proposed a Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) incorporating 7 factors covering natural conditions and human disturbance. Based on the HSI values, the suitability was classified into five levels from the most to not suitable. Finally, according to results of GAP analysis, we identified six conservation priorities and designed a conservation landscape incorporating four new nature reserves, enlarging two existing ones, and creating four linkages for Amur tigers in northeast China. The case study showed that the core habitats (the most suitable and highly suitable habitats) identified for Amur tigers covered 35,547 km 2, accounting for approximately 26.71% of the total study area (1,33,093 km 2). However, existing nature reserves protected only (7124 km 2 or) 20.04% of the identified core habitats. Thus, enlargement of current reserves is necessary and urgent for the tiger’s conservation and restoration. Moreover, the establishment of wildlife corridors linking core habitats will provide an efficient reserve network for tiger conservation to maintain the evolutionary potential of Amur tigers facing environmental changes.

Evaluation of the aquatic habitat and fish assemblage in an urban reach of the historic Rideau Canal, Ottawa, Canada: Implications for management in an engineered system

The historic Rideau Canal (built in the 1800s) in eastern Ontario, Canada is a heavily managed and engineered ecosystem, popular for recreational boating and sport fishing in the summer and ice skating in the winter. However, little is actually know about the fish and aquatic macrophyte communities, particularly in the urban reach in Ottawa between Hartwell’s Lock and the outflow of Dows Lake. The objective of this study was to examine the extent to which fish and macrophytes varied among different natural and engineered habitat/substrate types across the period when the canal is at navigational water levels. Five gross habitat types were identified, consisting of gravel, silt/sand, rip-rap/gabion basket, boulder and concrete wall habitats. Replicate transects were established in the littoral zone, representing the different habitat types. Snorkel surveys were conducted on a biweekly basis, where fish species and aquatic macrophytes within the transects were quantified. Supplementary data on fish populations was obtained through seine net sampling as well as angler interviews and visual observations. The fish community was characterized as a reasonably simple warmwater assemblage, dominated by centrarchids (e.g., pumpkinseed [Lepomis gibbosus], bluegill [L. macrochirus], and largemouth bass [Micropterus salmoides]). In fact, more than 90% of all fish encountered (snorkel surveys and seine netting) belonged to the centrarchid family. None of the 17 fish species encountered in the reach were considered “at risk” in Canada, although the system supports one of the few urban muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) populations in the world and provides a range of urban recreational fishing opportunities for sportsfish. Fish diversity metrics (e.g., diversity, richness, evenness) varied little among habitat types, perhaps reflecting the fact that vegetation communities were reasonably homogeneous, largely dominated by the exotic Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum). This research provides managers with the first detailed information on the aquatic ecology in this engineered urban ecosystem which will enable relevant government agencies (e.g., Parks Canada) to better balance the iconic cultural values of national significance with their mandate to protect the ecological integrity of the canal ecosystem.

An Evaluation of Qualitative Indexes of Physical Habitat Applied to Agricultural Streams in Ten U.S. States1

Hughes, Robert M., Alan T. Herlihy, and Philip R. Kaufmann, 2010. An Evaluation of Qualitative Indexes of Physical Habitat Applied to Agricultural Streams in Ten U.S. States. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(4): 792‐806. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2010.00455.xAbstract: Assessment of stream physical habitat condition is important for evaluating stream quality globally. However, the diversity of metrics and methods for assessing physical habitat condition confounds comparisons among practitioners. We surveyed 51 previously sampled stream sites (0.0‐6.3 m wide) located in regions of row‐crop agriculture in Oregon, California, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia to evaluate the comparability of four indexes of physical habitat condition relative to each other. We also compared the indexes to previously calculated indexes of fish and macroinvertebrate condition. The physical habitat indexes included the Stream Visual Assessment Protocol Version 2 of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the qualitative habitat evaluation index of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the rapid bioassessment protocol of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and a qualitative physical habitat index based on USEPA quantitative physical habitat measurements. All four indexes were highly correlated with each other, but low‐to‐moderately correlated with biotic index scores for fish and macroinvertebrate assemblages. Moderately high correlations occurred between some macroinvertebrate biotic index scores and quantitative metrics. We conclude that additional research is needed to increase the predictive and diagnostic capabilities of qualitative physical habitat indexes.

한국 갯벌 생태 등급도의 개발 필요성과 방향

There is a host of habitat assessment systems available to evaluate and grade tidal flat ecosystems in Korea. Nevertheless, we recognize the need to develop a better ecological scheme to improve reliability and accuracy given the importance of using an empirical approach in assigning grades to indicators and the limitation of current systems which evaluate tidal flats on a regional basis. A preferable system would be one that enables habitat mapping within a tidal flat, provides a diagnosis of ecological stress/health, has a high level of ecological relevance, communicability, and statistical robustness, and enables evaluation of diverse habitats within a tidal flat. The following points should be considered in framing such a system. Indicators should discriminate habitat quality into five to seven grades accomodating diverse characteristics and conservation value of a habitat, and the grading should be made from frequency distribution of indicators based on nationwide data.We suggest the following tasks in crafting such a system: ⅰ) The decision on selection of indicators should be made based on accuracy of assessment and practical application; ⅱ) effects of physical habitat conditions on variability of indicators should be reflected; and, ⅲ) further works on stress/health indicators should be addressed for adopting a multiple-indicator approach which reduces misdiagnosis.

Habitat evaluation using suitability index and habitat type diversity: a case study involving a shallow forest stream in central Taiwan

In recent years, the Taiwanese government has strongly promoted the concept of ecological engineering in the hope that doing so will encourage the maintenance of the ecosystem and its integrity. As a result, the riprap spur dike is one of the most commonly used measures for protecting stream banks. Traditionally, a spur dike is used at concave banks to prevent their scouring and/or to increase their stabilization. An additional benefit of deflector structures, like spur dikes, may be to increase the weighted usable area (WUA) for aquatic life survival during periods of increased flow (examples include typhoon, flood, etc.). A two-dimensional river habitat simulation program (River2D) coupled with a developed shallow water habitat type diversity module was used for the case study at a headwater stream in central Taiwan. The habitat suitability index for this study was established using substrate, depth, and velocity from field surveys for the fish family Cyprinidae by prepositioned area electrofisher. The ungauged flood conditions were calculated using digital elevation models within a watershed delineation and hydrological modeling system in accordance with local regulations. Simulated results indicate that the spur dikes currently in use on the stream in this study need be improved from a WUA point of view more effectively handle a flood event.

A Review of Bull Trout Habitat Associations and Exploratory Analyses of Patterns across the Interior Columbia River Basin

AbstractAn understanding of habitat relationships for bull trout Salvelinus confluentus remains an important component for identifying future restoration, management, and recovery efforts. We examined past efforts through a comprehensive synthesis of peer‐reviewed articles evaluating bull trout habitat relationships, and we used field data within classification tree analysis (CTA) to improve our understanding of the consistency of bull trout habitat use patterns. We performed CTA using reach‐level habitat data collected from currently occupied stream networks (i.e., those within the current distribution of bull trout) and unoccupied stream networks where hierarchical filters (i.e., area and temperature) were met and from occupied areas where temperature criteria were exceeded. Results from the literature review demonstrated consistent results at the microhabitat and channel unit scales; indicated the importance of slow‐velocity, deeper habitats; and, together with observed diel shifts, highlighted the importance of complex habitat regardless of scale or season. At the reach scale, however, our results indicated substantially less consistency in bull trout habitat relationships. Including maximum stream temperature into the CTA did not result in changes to the overall structure of the CTA; results from the CTA indicated that bull trout were found in reaches with larger substrate, deeper pools, and more cover, but the specific criteria differed along a gradient of stream depth. Our results indicated (1) important gaps in our knowledge regarding the role of substrate size in juvenile bull trout habitat use, (2) the need for elucidation of habitat use patterns in downstream reaches, which may act as critical overwintering habitat or migratory corridors, and (3) the need to incorporate sampling efficiencies in future bull trout habitat evaluations.

The effects of weight decay backpropagation on the fuzzy neural network model-based habitat evaluation for Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)

The effects of weight decay backpropagation on the fuzzy neural network model-based habitat evaluation for Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)

Geospatial approach for tiger habitat evaluation and distribution in Corbett Tiger reserve, India

India has a rich repository of flora and fauna, but the rapid decline of wildlife and threat to its habitat has been a serious cause of concern. Hence, protected areas have been set up to achieve specific conservation objectives to facilitate timely and reliable information on forest types and its composition, degradation status and their suitability for different species of flora and fauna. In the present study, evaluation of tiger habitat in Corbett Tiger reserve is carried out using remote sensing, ground and other ancillary sources and is integrated using GIS using multi-criteria model. The results indicated that sal, mixed sal, miscellaneous forest, plantation, grassland, agriculture and scrub land are the major land use/land cover types and majority of the study area is covered under dense forest. Tiger habitat suitability analysis showed that large proportion of the area (51.4%) was found to be highly suitable followed by moderately suitable area (31%). Further, the correlation drawn between range-wise suitability area and actual tiger population in Corbett Tiger Reserve CTR indicated a positive correlation of 0.73. Disturbance to wildlife habitat, vegetation degradation and shrinking passage corridor are the major concern in CTR.

Monitoring habitat dynamics for rare and endangered species using satellite images and niche‐based models

The potential distribution of critically rare or endangered species is necessary to assess species conservation status and guide recovery plans. Habitat models based on remotely sensed geospatial data are increasingly used to predict the suitability of sites for rare and endangered species, but in rapidly changing landscapes, habitat evaluations must reflect temporal as well as spatial variation of environmental suitability in order to properly inform management. We used field measurements of species occurrence, a 22‐yr time series of satellite images, and the Maximum Entropy modeling approach (Maxent) to monitor spatio‐temporal variation in habitat suitability of an endangered butterfly that uses riparian wetlands modified by beaver activity. We modeled the niche of the St. Francis’ satyr Neonympha mitchellii francisci in an environment of remotely sensed metrics and projected the niche model over space and time to evaluate habitat dynamics and target sites for reintroduction efforts. Suitable habitat for the subspecies is currently distributed across the study area; however, most of the suitable area is unoccupied, and patches of the most suitable habitat have shifted over time in response to beaver activity and subsequent wetland succession, suggesting a negative interaction between dispersal limitation and landscape dynamics. Landcover changes complicate the recovery of critically threatened species such as N. m. francisci, but habitat monitoring over time can improve recovery plans, offer adaptive management strategies, and provide more exact criteria for species status assignment. Spatio‐temporal extensions of the niche/habitat concept are made possible by long‐term archives of remotely sensed data, and will likely prove most useful in rapidly changing landscapes.

Numerical analysis of effects of large wood structures on channel morphology and fish habitat suitability in a Southern US sandy creek

AbstractA depth‐averaged two‐dimensional model was applied to simulate the effect of large wood structures (LWS) on flow, sediment transport, bed change, and fish habitat in a deeply‐incised sharp bend in the Little Topashaw Creek, North Central Mississippi. The hydrodynamic simulation showed that the flow was retarded by the large wood matrices along the outer bank and accelerated in the main channel, thus causing deposition along the outer bank and erosion in the main channel, consistent with field observations. Effects on fish habitat were quantified using two approaches. Habitat evaluations using kinetic energy and circulation metrics indicated that LWS only slightly increased the diversity of physical conditions. Weighted usable areas (WUA) for two fish species, blacktail shiner (Cyprinella venusta) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), were computed using hydrodynamic simulations of three discharges before and after the LWS construction and habitat preference curves for depth and velocity. The results show that the values of WUA for both fish species were increased after LWS installation at all three discharges. Application of LWS improved the quantity and quality of fish habitats. Habitat evaluations based on computation of WUA were more sensitive to the influence of LWS than metrics based on velocity gradients. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Evaluation of suitable tiger habitat in Chandoli National Park, India, using spatial modelling of environmental variables

Application of remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) as a tool has assumed an immense significance in habitat suitability modelling for various wildlife species and now a days these are widely used in conservation biology and wildlife management. This paper evaluates habitat suitability for tigers ( Panthera tigris tigris) in Chandoli National Park, India. This research provides information about potential areas that can be declared as Tiger Reserve, a federal designation of protection. Habitat evaluation was completed in the Chandoli National Park (17° 04′ 00″ N to 17° 19′ 54″ N and 73° 40′ 43″ E to 73° 53′ 09″ E) using habitat suitability index (HSI). Remotely sensed data of satellite IRS-P6, LISS-III of 25th February 2005 was procured from National Remote Sensing Agency, India. The satellite imagery data was digitally processed and collateral data were generated from topographic maps in a GIS framework. Various layers of different variables such as landuse land cover, forest density, measures of proximity to disturbances and water resources and a digital terrain model were created based on ground truthing. These layers, GPS location of animal's presence and “binomial multiple logistic regression (BMLR)” techniques were integrated in a GIS environment for the HSI modelling. Results indicate that approximately 160.48 km 2 (55%) of the forest of Chandoli National Park is highly suitable for herbivores population, and 176.52 km 2 (50%) of the Park is suitable for tigers. Therefore, this study concludes that forest areas within the Chandoli National Park are appropriate for consideration as Tiger Reserve. Furthermore, the identification and mapping of wildlife corridors and other forest patches lying in between neighboring protected area like Koyana sanctuary, suggests that these region of Sahyadri range of Western Ghats should be included into the proposed Tiger Reserve. This will be a benefit for tigers, as tigers require larger and least disturbed forest habitats for establishing and maintaining their high-density population. Fortunately, in May 2008 the Government of India declared Chandoli NP as tiger reserve. Thus declaration of Chandoli National Park as a Tiger Reserve reflects that the habitat suitability model developed by us for tiger was not only statistically sound but also has potential to be considered while taking any decision regarding wildlife habitat management.

Ecological health and causal assessment of fish communities experiencing multiple stressors in Gap Stream, South Korea

Habitat evaluation, water chemistry, fish community data, and a chemical exposure biomarker were used to evaluate the effects of multiple stressors on fish community structure and identify the probable cause(s) of fish community degradation in the Gap Stream, South Korea during May-October 2000. Downstream of a wastewater outfall, there was a decline in the Index of Biotic Integrity of the fish community due to a decrease in the number of native species, an increase in the percentage of tolerant species, and an increase in external deformities and lesions. Five candidate causes of fish community degradation were identified including habitat alteration, chemicals including metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), low dissolved oxygen, and nutrient enrichment. The results of our causal analysis suggest that chemical contamination, habitat alteration, and nutrient enrichment were the principal probable causes responsible for the degradation of the fish community in the Gap Stream below the municipal wastewater treatment plant.

Environmental and spatial influences on benthic community composition in wooded headwater streams in Zoar Valley, New York, USA

This study determined the relative influences of environmental variation versus spatial autocorrelation on benthic macroinvertebrate community composition of temperate headwater streams. We enumerated fauna in riffle zones of 23 separate (i.e., not tributaries to each other) but closely grouped from first- to third-order woodland streams surrounding Zoar Valley Canyon, western New York State, USA, during spring, summer, and fall of 2006. Watershed geomorphology (stream order, catchment area, and forest cover) and semi-quantitative habitat characteristics, the latter of which were incorporated into a Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI), were also recorded for each stream. Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) ordination was used to establish patterns of biotic similarity among these streams. Matrices of biological and environmental Euclidean distances were constructed for all between-stream pairings. Additionally, a between-stream spatial matrix was constructed based on global position system coordinates of sampling sites. Non-significant partial Mantel coefficients indicated that biological distances were uncorrelated with spatial distances both among all 23 study streams and among 12 first-order streams only. In contrast, biological distances were positively correlated with environmental distances (rM = 0.375 and 0.289 for all streams and for first-order streams only, respectively; P values 0.05), indicating that the measured environmental characteristics were not spatially structured. Each of the geomorphological and habitat variables was statistically associated with NMDS community composition axes (stepwise multiple regression, one-factor MANOVA). These results suggest that environmental filters and niche-based species sorting may operate here between separate streams, and that study sites appear to be effectively insular in their biota despite close physical proximity.

International importance of the eastern Chukchi Sea as a staging area for migrating king eiders

The evaluation of habitats used by arctic birds on migration is crucial for their conservation. We explored the importance of the eastern Chukchi Sea (ECS) as a staging area for king eiders (Somateria spectabilis) migrating between breeding areas in Siberia and western North America and wintering areas in the Bering Sea. We tracked 190 king eiders with satellite transmitters between 1997 and 2007. In late summer, 74% of satellite-tracked king eiders migrating south staged in the ECS for 13 ± 13 (SD) days between late June and early November. During spring migration, king eiders staged in the ECS between mid-April and early June for 21 ± 10 days. All instrumented birds migrating to breeding grounds in western North America (n = 62), and 6 of 11 males migrating to breeding grounds in Siberia, used this area for at least 1 week during spring migration. The importance of this staging area renders it possible that industrial development could adversely affect king eider populations in both Siberia and North America.

The ecodiver index in the evaluation of habitats: a complementary methodology for forest inventory in the elaboration of technical plans and ordinance of land, environmental planning and administration of natural resources

The evaluation of habitats can be carried out from a number of different points of view (biological diversity, ecological value, economic evaluation, etc.) and with the use of different techniques. Here we propose and discuss a theoretical methodology for a global index of vegetation, that weighs the value of biological aspects, of conservation and of the benefits for human use. The «ecodiver» index is thought off as a global index that incorporates the most valued approaches contained in previous studies. This index is an arithmetic mean of other more specific or more intuitive indexes. The aspects considered by this proposal include endemicity (E), the degree of conservation (CO), primary ecological diversity (DIVE) and natural resources of vegetation (R).

鳥類の種組成に基づく都市の鳥類生息環境評価指数の提案

Though many papers have been published on avian distribution in urban areas and on the factors that influenced species richness and / or composition of bird communities in urban habitats, no convenient measure of environmental evaluation of avian habitats along urbanization gradient has been developed. In the present study an environmental evaluation index using avian species composition is proposed based on the previous studies on avian distribution along urbanization gradient. Bird species were classified into two categories, i.e., urban avoider and urban adapter considering the distribution range of each species along urbanization gradient. Species that were recorded widely along the gradient were categorized as urban adapters while species that mainly occurred on the rural part of the gradient were categorized as urban avoiders. Based on the classification a new index of avian habitat evaluation was proposed as the sum of the number of urban adaptor species and two times of the number of urban avoider species. The appropriateness of the bird species classification and the effectiveness of the index were discussed.