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Li Y, Devenish C, Tosa MI, Luo M, Bell DM, Lesmeister DB, Greenfield P, Pichler M, Levi T, Yu DW. Combining environmental DNA and remote sensing for efficient, fine-scale mapping of arthropod biodiversity. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230123. [PMID: 38705177 PMCID: PMC11070265 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Arthropods contribute importantly to ecosystem functioning but remain understudied. This undermines the validity of conservation decisions. Modern methods are now making arthropods easier to study, since arthropods can be mass-trapped, mass-identified, and semi-mass-quantified into 'many-row (observation), many-column (species)' datasets, with homogeneous error, high resolution, and copious environmental-covariate information. These 'novel community datasets' let us efficiently generate information on arthropod species distributions, conservation values, uncertainty, and the magnitude and direction of human impacts. We use a DNA-based method (barcode mapping) to produce an arthropod-community dataset from 121 Malaise-trap samples, and combine it with 29 remote-imagery layers using a deep neural net in a joint species distribution model. With this approach, we generate distribution maps for 76 arthropod species across a 225 km2 temperate-zone forested landscape. We combine the maps to visualize the fine-scale spatial distributions of species richness, community composition, and site irreplaceability. Old-growth forests show distinct community composition and higher species richness, and stream courses have the highest site-irreplaceability values. With this 'sideways biodiversity modelling' method, we demonstrate the feasibility of biodiversity mapping at sufficient spatial resolution to inform local management choices, while also being efficient enough to scale up to thousands of square kilometres. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanheng Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Security of Gaoligong Mountain, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, People’s Republic of China
- Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, People’s Republic of China
- Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen 45141, Germany
| | - Christian Devenish
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR47TJ, UK
| | - Marie I. Tosa
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Mingjie Luo
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Security of Gaoligong Mountain, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, People’s Republic of China
- Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, People’s Republic of China
- Kunming College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, People’s Republic of China
| | - David M. Bell
- Pacific Northwest Research Station, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Damon B. Lesmeister
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Pacific Northwest Research Station, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Paul Greenfield
- CSIRO Energy, Lindfield, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Taal Levi
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Douglas W. Yu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Security of Gaoligong Mountain, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, People’s Republic of China
- Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, People’s Republic of China
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR47TJ, UK
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Yunnan 650223, People’s Republic of China
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Bald L, Gottwald J, Hillen J, Adorf F, Zeuss D. The devil is in the detail: Environmental variables frequently used for habitat suitability modeling lack information for forest-dwelling bats in Germany. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11571. [PMID: 38932971 PMCID: PMC11199919 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In response to the pressing challenges of the ongoing biodiversity crisis, the protection of endangered species and their habitats, as well as the monitoring of invasive species are crucial. Habitat suitability modeling (HSM) is often treated as the silver bullet to address these challenges, commonly relying on generic variables sourced from widely available datasets. However, for species with high habitat requirements, or for modeling the suitability of habitats within the geographic range of a species, variables at a coarse level of detail may fall short. Consequently, there is potential value in considering the incorporation of more targeted data, which may extend beyond readily available land cover and climate datasets. In this study, we investigate the impact of incorporating targeted land cover variables (specifically tree species composition) and vertical structure information (derived from LiDAR data) on HSM outcomes for three forest specialist bat species (Barbastella barbastellus, Myotis bechsteinii, and Plecotus auritus) in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, compared to commonly utilized environmental variables, such as generic land-cover classifications (e.g., Corine Land Cover) and climate variables (e.g., Bioclim). The integration of targeted variables enhanced the performance of habitat suitability models for all three bat species. Furthermore, our results showed a high difference in the distribution maps that resulted from using different levels of detail in environmental variables. This underscores the importance of making the effort to generate the appropriate variables, rather than simply relying on commonly used ones, and the necessity of exercising caution when using habitat models as a tool to inform conservation strategies and spatial planning efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Bald
- Department of Geography, Environmental InformaticsPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | | | - Jessica Hillen
- Büro für Faunistik und LandschaftsökologieRümmelsheimGermany
| | - Frank Adorf
- Büro für Faunistik und LandschaftsökologieRümmelsheimGermany
| | - Dirk Zeuss
- Department of Geography, Environmental InformaticsPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
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Marston C, Raoul F, Rowland C, Quéré JP, Feng X, Lin R, Giraudoux P. Mapping small mammal optimal habitats using satellite-derived proxy variables and species distribution models. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289209. [PMID: 37590218 PMCID: PMC10434852 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Small mammal species play an important role influencing vegetation primary productivity and plant species composition, seed dispersal, soil structure, and as predator and/or prey species. Species which experience population dynamics cycles can, at high population phases, heavily impact agricultural sectors and promote rodent-borne disease transmission. To better understand the drivers behind small mammal distributions and abundances, and how these differ for individual species, it is necessary to characterise landscape variables important for the life cycles of the species in question. In this study, a suite of Earth observation derived metrics quantifying landscape characteristics and dynamics, and in-situ small mammal trapline and transect survey data, are used to generate random forest species distribution models for nine small mammal species for study sites in Narati, China and Sary Mogul, Kyrgyzstan. These species distribution models identify the important landscape proxy variables driving species abundance and distributions, in turn identifying the optimal conditions for each species. The observed relationships differed between species, with the number of landscape proxy variables identified as important for each species ranging from 3 for Microtus gregalis at Sary Mogul, to 26 for Ellobius tancrei at Narati. Results indicate that grasslands were predicted to hold higher abundances of Microtus obscurus, E. tancrei and Marmota baibacina, forest areas hold higher abundances of Myodes centralis and Sorex asper, with mixed forest-grassland boundary areas and areas close to watercourses predicted to hold higher abundances of Apodemus uralensis and Sicista tianshanica. Localised variability in vegetation and wetness conditions, as well as presence of certain habitat types, are also shown to influence these small mammal species abundances. Predictive application of the Random Forest (RF) models identified spatial hot-spots of high abundance, with model validation producing R2 values between 0.670 for M. gregalis transect data at Sary Mogul to 0.939 for E. tancrei transect data at Narati. This enhances previous work whereby optimal habitat was defined simply as presence of a given land cover type, and instead defines optimal habitat via a combination of important landscape dynamic variables, moving from a human-defined to species-defined perspective of optimal habitat. The species distribution models demonstrate differing distributions and abundances of host species across the study areas, utilising the strengths of Earth observation data to improve our understanding of landscape and ecological linkages to small mammal distributions and abundances.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francis Raoul
- Department of Chrono-Environment, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comte/CNRS, Besançon, France
| | - Clare Rowland
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Pierre Quéré
- Centre de Biologie et Gestion des Populations (INRAE/IRD/Cirad/Montpellier SupAgro), Campus International de Baillarguet, Montferrier-sur-Lez Cedex, France
| | - Xiaohui Feng
- WHO-Collaborating Centre for Prevention and Care Management of Echinococcosis, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Renyong Lin
- WHO-Collaborating Centre for Prevention and Care Management of Echinococcosis, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Patrick Giraudoux
- Department of Chrono-Environment, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comte/CNRS, Besançon, France
- Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Kunming, China
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Gubert L, Mathews F, McDonald R, Wilson RJ, Foppen RPB, Lemmers P, La Haye M, Bennie J. Using high-resolution LiDAR-derived canopy structure and topography to characterise hibernaculum locations of the hazel dormouse. Oecologia 2023; 202:641-653. [PMID: 37543993 PMCID: PMC10474991 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05429-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
The hazel dormouse is predominantly an arboreal species that moves down to the ground to hibernate in the autumn in temperate parts of its distributional ranges at locations not yet well understood. The main objective of this study is to test whether environmental characteristics surrounding hazel dormouse hibernacula can be identified using high-resolution remote sensing and data collected in situ. To achieve this, remotely sensed variables, including canopy height and cover, topographic slope, sky view, solar radiation and cold air drainage, were modelled around 83 dormouse hibernacula in England (n = 62) and the Netherlands (n = 21), and environmental characteristics that may be favoured by pre-hibernating dormice were identified. Data on leaf litter depth, temperature, canopy cover and distance to the nearest tree were collected in situ and analysed at hibernaculum locations in England. The findings indicated that remotely sensed data were effective in identifying attributes surrounding the locations of dormouse hibernacula and when compared to in situ information, provided more conclusive results. This study suggests that remotely sensed topographic slope, canopy height and sky view have an influence on hazel dormice choosing suitable locations to hibernate; whilst in situ data suggested that average daily mean temperature at the hibernaculum may also have an effect. Remote sensing proved capable of identifying localised environmental characteristics in the wider landscape that may be important for hibernating dormice. This study proposes that this method can provide a novel progression from habitat modelling to conservation management for the hazel dormouse, as well as other species using habitats where topography and vegetation structure influence fine-resolution favourability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Gubert
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK.
| | - Fiona Mathews
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Robbie McDonald
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Robert J Wilson
- Department of Biogeography and Global Change, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), 28770, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ruud P B Foppen
- Department of Animal Ecology and Physiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9100, 6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Pim Lemmers
- Department of Animal Ecology and Physiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9100, 6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Natuurbalans-Limes Divergens, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Maurice La Haye
- The Dutch Mammal Society, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jonathan Bennie
- Centre for Geography and Environmental Science, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
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Sutton LJ, Ibañez JC, Salvador DI, Taraya RL, Opiso GS, Senarillos TLP, McClure CJW. Priority conservation areas and a global population estimate for the critically endangered Philippine Eagle. Anim Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - J. C. Ibañez
- Philippine Eagle Foundation Philippine Eagle Center Davao City Philippines
- University of the Philippines – Mindanao Davao City Philippines
| | - D. I. Salvador
- Philippine Eagle Foundation Philippine Eagle Center Davao City Philippines
| | - R. L. Taraya
- Philippine Eagle Foundation Philippine Eagle Center Davao City Philippines
| | - G. S. Opiso
- Philippine Eagle Foundation Philippine Eagle Center Davao City Philippines
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Samuel Stickley F, Jennifer Fraterrigo M. Microclimate species distribution models estimate lower levels of climate-related habitat loss for salamanders. J Nat Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2023.126333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Steffens KJE, Sanamo J, Razafitsalama J, Ganzhorn JU. Ground‐based vegetation descriptions and remote sensing as complementary methods describing habitat requirements of a frugivorous primate in northern Madagascar: implications for forest restoration. Anim Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K. J. E. Steffens
- Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology Universität Hamburg Hamburg Germany
| | - J. Sanamo
- Département Sciences de la Nature et de l'Environnement, Facultés des Sciences Université d'Antsiranana Antsiranana Madagascar
| | | | - J. U. Ganzhorn
- Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology Universität Hamburg Hamburg Germany
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Rewicz A, Myśliwy M, Rewicz T, Adamowski W, Kolanowska M. Contradictory effect of climate change on American and European populations of Impatiens capensis Meerb. - is this herb a global threat? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 850:157959. [PMID: 35964758 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The present study is the first-ever attempt to generate information on the potential present and future distribution of Impatiens capensis (orange balsam) under various climate change scenarios. Moreover, the differences in bioclimatic preferences of native and non-native populations were evaluated. LOCATION Global. TAXON Angiosperms. METHODS A database of I. capensis localities was compiled based on the public database - the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), herbarium specimens, and a field survey in Poland. The initial dataset was verified, and each record was assigned to one of two groups - native (3664 records from North America) or non-native (750 records from Europe and the western part of North America). The analyses involved bioclimatic variables in 2.5 arc-minutes of interpolated climate surface downloaded from WorldClim v. 2.1. MaxEnt version 3.3.2 was used to conduct the ecological niche modeling based on presence-only observations of I. capensis. Forecasts of the future distribution of the climatic niches of the studied species in 2080-2100 were made based on climate projections developed by the CNRM/CERFACS modeling and Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate (MIROC-6). MAIN CONCLUSIONS Distribution models created for "present time" showed slightly broader potential geographical ranges of both native and invasive populations of orange balsam. On the other hand, some areas (e.g. NW Poland, SW Finland), settled by the species, are far outside the modeled climate niche, which indicates a much greater adaptation potential of I. capensis. In addition, the models have shown that climate change will shift the native range of orange balsam to the north and the range of its European populations to the northwest. Moreover, while the coverage of niches suitable for I. capensis in America will extend due to climate change, the European populations will face 31-95 % habitat loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Rewicz
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Geobotany and Plant Ecology, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Monika Myśliwy
- University of Szczecin, Institute of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Adama Mickiewicza 16, 70-383 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Tomasz Rewicz
- University of Lodz, Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
| | - Wojciech Adamowski
- University of Warsaw, Białowieża Geobotanical Station, Faculty of Biology, Sportowa 19, 17-230 Białowieża, Poland
| | - Marta Kolanowska
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Geobotany and Plant Ecology, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland; Department of Biodiversity Research, Global Change Research Institute AS CR, Bělidla 4a, 603 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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Identification of suitable habitat for Taxus wallichiana and Abies pindrow in moist temperate forest using maxent modelling technique. Saudi J Biol Sci 2022; 29:103459. [PMID: 36199517 PMCID: PMC9527941 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.103459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Conservation of any species necessitates knowledge of its biology and natural history, as well as prospective locations or newer adaptive landscapes where the species can survive and thrive. This study presents habitat suitability and local conservation status of Taxus wallichiana and Abies pindrow in moist temperate forest of Hazara division, Pakistan. Data was collected through field surveys based on 363 samples from field, topographical and bioclimatic variables. In the present study, we employed the MaxEnt model exclusively for each tree species along with 23 independent or environment variables (19 bioclimatic and 4 topographic). The jackknife test was used to demonstrate the significance of variables with the highest gain, and it was found that overall tree cover, annual temperature range was the factors with the highest gain, while slope was amongst the least important. The MaxEnt model produced high accuracy for each tree species, with receiver operating characteristic (ROC), area under the curve (AUC), training mean testing values for Taxus wallichiana was 0.966 followed by 0.944 for Abies pindrow. Local conservation status of Taxus wallichiana and Abies pindrow was evaluated using IUCN criteria 2001. Taxus wallichiana was declared critically endangered locally as the population size reduced by 87%. In contrast, Abies pindrow was declared as endangered as population size reduced by 69% falling under endangered criteria A of IUCN. The decline in population size of Taxus wallichiana and Abies pindrow species were due to human cause anthropogenic activities such as exploitation and loss of habitat, the extent of occurrence, and slow regeneration of tree species. Results and field-based observation revealed that suitable habitat modeling showed unsuitable (0.0–0.2), less suitable (0.2–0.4), moderately (0.4–0.6), highly (0.6–0.7), and very highly (0.7–1.0) suitable habitat for Taxus wallichiana and Abies pindrow. Results also revealed that both species were distributed irregularly in the moist temperate forest of Hazara division. Habitat suitability of Taxus wallichiana and Abies pindrow can be considered one of most significant points toward conserving these tree species. Habitat loss is a major threat to their occurrence, which should be overcome by ensuring the protection of suitable habitat and conservation approaches. Considering the species ecological and economic value, it is essential to understand how the species distribution may vary as a result of climate change to establish effective conservation policies. This study also includes significant environmental elements that influence species distribution, which could help locate regions where the species could be planted. Forest tree species require effective, scientific, and long-term management and conservation techniques in the study area. Furthermore, the formulation and implementation of protective laws and policies are required to conserve and protect both the conifer species.
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Sanguet A, Wyler N, Petitpierre B, Honeck E, Poussin C, Martin P, Lehmann A. Beyond topo-climatic predictors: Does habitats distribution and remote sensing information improve predictions of species distribution models? Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Behroozian M, Peterson AT, Joharchi MR, Atauchi PJ, Memariani F, Arjmandi AA. Good news for a rare plant: Fine‐resolution distributional predictions and field testing for the critically endangered plant
Dianthus pseudocrinitus
. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Behroozian
- Department of Botany, Research Center for Plant Science Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Mashhad Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Reza Joharchi
- Department of Botany, Research Center for Plant Science Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Mashhad Iran
| | - P. Joser Atauchi
- Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas Lawrence Kansas USA
- Instituto para la Conservación de Especies Amenazadas Cusco Peru
- Museo de Historia Natural Cusco (MHNC), Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco Cusco Peru
| | - Farshid Memariani
- Department of Botany, Research Center for Plant Science Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Mashhad Iran
| | - Ali Asghar Arjmandi
- Quantitative Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Mashhad Iran
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Climatic Niche of Vegetation Greenness Is Likely to Be Conservative in Degraded Land. LAND 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/land11060894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Satellite data have been widely used to study changes in vegetation greenness in geographical space; however, this change is rarely considered in climatic space. Here, the climatic niche dynamics of vegetation greenness, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), was quantified in the climate space of the Loess Plateau, a piece of degraded land greening significantly from 2000 to 2018. The niche similarity test was used to examine the niche conservatism of vegetation greenness during the 19 years of restoration. The results show that the climate niche of vegetation greenness is always more similar than expected. The stability niche occupied most parts (83–98%) of their climatic niche, and niche overlap reached 0.52–0.69. Climate niche conservatism suggests that potential greenness constructed by statistical methods could be used as a criterion or baseline for ecosystem function restoration on the Loess Plateau. The study also suggests that the integrated niche similarity test in decision-making for restoration of degraded land will clarify our understanding of the climatic niche dynamics of vegetation greenness and the making of forecasts.
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Checon HH, Shah Esmaeili Y, Corte GN, Malinconico N, Turra A. Locally developed models improve the accuracy of remotely assessed metrics as a rapid tool to classify sandy beach morphodynamics. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13413. [PMID: 35602896 PMCID: PMC9121867 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Classification of beaches into morphodynamic states is a common approach in sandy beach studies, due to the influence of natural variables in ecological patterns and processes. The use of remote sensing for identifying beach type and monitoring changes has been commonly applied through multiple methods, which often involve expensive equipment and software processing of images. A previous study on the South African Coast developed a method to classify beaches using conditional tree inferences, based on beach morphological features estimated from public available satellite images, without the need for remote sensing processing, which allowed for a large-scale characterization. However, since the validation of this method has not been tested in other regions, its potential uses as a trans-scalar tool or dependence from local calibrations has not been evaluated. Here, we tested the validity of this method using a 200-km stretch of the Brazilian coast, encompassing a wide gradient of morphodynamic conditions. We also compared this locally derived model with the results that would be generated using the cut-off values established in the previous study. To this end, 87 beach sites were remotely assessed using an accessible software (i.e., Google Earth) and sampled for an in-situ environmental characterization and beach type classification. These sites were used to derive the predictive model of beach morphodynamics from the remotely assessed metrics, using conditional inference trees. An additional 77 beach sites, with a previously known morphodynamic type, were also remotely evaluated to test the model accuracy. Intertidal width and exposure degree were the only variables selected in the model to classify beach type, with an accuracy higher than 90% through different metrics of model validation. The only limitation was the inability in separating beach types in the reflective end of the morphodynamic continuum. Our results corroborated the usefulness of this method, highlighting the importance of a locally developed model, which substantially increased the accuracy. Although the use of more sophisticated remote sensing approaches should be preferred to assess coastal dynamics or detailed morphodynamic features (e.g., nearshore bars), the method used here provides an accessible and accurate approach to classify beach into major states at large spatial scales. As beach type can be used as a surrogate for biodiversity, environmental sensitivity and touristic preferences, the method may aid management in the identification of priority areas for conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helio Herminio Checon
- Departament of Animal Biology, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil,Oceanographic Institute, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Yasmina Shah Esmaeili
- Departament of Animal Biology, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Guilherme N. Corte
- Oceanographic Institute, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil,Escola do Mar, Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Nicole Malinconico
- Oceanographic Institute, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexander Turra
- Oceanographic Institute, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Munteanu C, Senf C, Nita MD, Sabatini FM, Oeser J, Seidl R, Kuemmerle T. Using historical spy satellite photographs and recent remote sensing data to identify high-conservation-value forests. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2022; 36:e13820. [PMID: 34405448 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
High-conservation-value forests (HCVFs) are critically important for biodiversity and ecosystem service provisioning, but they face many threats. Where systematic HCVF inventories are missing, such as in parts of Eastern Europe, these forests remain largely unacknowledged and therefore often unprotected. We devised a novel, transferable approach for detecting HCVFs based on integrating historical spy satellite images, contemporary remote sensing data (Landsat), and information on current potential anthropogenic pressures (e.g., road infrastructure, population density, demand for fire wood, terrain). We applied the method to the Romanian Carpathians, for which we mapped forest continuity (1955-2019), canopy structural complexity, and anthropogenic pressures. We identified 738,000 ha of HCVF. More than half of this area was identified as susceptible to current anthropogenic pressures and lacked formal protection. By providing a framework for broad-scale HCVF monitoring, our approach facilitates integration of HCVF into forest conservation and management. This is urgently needed to achieve the goals of the European Union's Biodiversity Strategy to maintain valuable forest ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina Munteanu
- Geography Department, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Wildlife Ecology and Management, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Cornelius Senf
- Ecosystem Dynamics and Forest Management Group, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Mihai D Nita
- Department of Forest Engineering, Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, Brasov, Romania
| | - Francesco Maria Sabatini
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Julian Oeser
- Geography Department, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rupert Seidl
- Ecosystem Dynamics and Forest Management Group, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Berchtesgaden National Park, Berchtesgaden, Germany
| | - Tobias Kuemmerle
- Geography Department, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Integrative Research Institute on Transformation in Human-Environment Systems (IRI THESys), Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin
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15
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Combining Citizen Science Data and Satellite Descriptors of Ecosystem Functioning to Monitor the Abundance of a Migratory Bird during the Non-Breeding Season. REMOTE SENSING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/rs14030463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Migratory birds are particularly exposed to habitat changes in their breeding and non-breeding grounds. Remote sensing technologies offer an excellent opportunity to monitor species’ habitats from space at unprecedented spatiotemporal scales. We analyzed if remotely sensed ecosystem functioning attributes (EFAs) adequately predict the spatiotemporal variation of the Woodcock’s (Scolopax rusticola) relative abundance in southwest Europe, during autumn migration and wintering periods. We used data gathered from Woodcock monitoring through citizen science (N = 355,654 hunting trips) between 2009 and 2018. We computed a comprehensive set of EFAs on a weekly basis from three MODIS satellite products: enhanced vegetation index (EVI), tasseled cap transformation (TCT), and land surface temperature (LST). We developed generalized linear mixed models to explore the predictive power of EFAs on Woodcock’s abundance during the non-breeding season. Results showed that Woodcock abundance is correlated with spatiotemporal dynamics in primary productivity (measured through the EVI), water cycle dynamics (wetness component of TCT), and surface energy balance (LST) in both periods. Our findings underline the potential of combining citizen science and remote sensing data to monitor migratory birds throughout their life cycles—an issue of critical importance to ensure adequate habitat management in the non-breeding areas.
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16
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Falcão JCF, Carvalheiro LG, Guevara R, Lira-Noriega A. The risk of invasion by angiosperms peaks at intermediate levels of human influence. Basic Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2021.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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17
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Carter S, van Rees CB, Hand BK, Muhlfeld CC, Luikart G, Kimball JS. Testing a Generalizable Machine Learning Workflow for Aquatic Invasive Species on Rainbow Trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Northwest Montana. Front Big Data 2021; 4:734990. [PMID: 34734177 PMCID: PMC8558495 DOI: 10.3389/fdata.2021.734990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological invasions are accelerating worldwide, causing major ecological and economic impacts in aquatic ecosystems. The urgent decision-making needs of invasive species managers can be better met by the integration of biodiversity big data with large-domain models and data-driven products. Remotely sensed data products can be combined with existing invasive species occurrence data via machine learning models to provide the proactive spatial risk analysis necessary for implementing coordinated and agile management paradigms across large scales. We present a workflow that generates rapid spatial risk assessments on aquatic invasive species using occurrence data, spatially explicit environmental data, and an ensemble approach to species distribution modeling using five machine learning algorithms. For proof of concept and validation, we tested this workflow using extensive spatial and temporal hybridization and occurrence data from a well-studied, ongoing, and climate-driven species invasion in the upper Flathead River system in northwestern Montana, USA. Rainbow Trout (RBT; Oncorhynchus mykiss), an introduced species in the Flathead River basin, compete and readily hybridize with native Westslope Cutthroat Trout (WCT; O. clarkii lewisii), and the spread of RBT individuals and their alleles has been tracked for decades. We used remotely sensed and other geospatial data as key environmental predictors for projecting resultant habitat suitability to geographic space. The ensemble modeling technique yielded high accuracy predictions relative to 30-fold cross-validated datasets (87% 30-fold cross-validated accuracy score). Both top predictors and model performance relative to these predictors matched current understanding of the drivers of RBT invasion and habitat suitability, indicating that temperature is a major factor influencing the spread of invasive RBT and hybridization with native WCT. The congruence between more time-consuming modeling approaches and our rapid machine-learning approach suggest that this workflow could be applied more broadly to provide data-driven management information for early detection of potential invaders.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Carter
- Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group, WA Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
| | - C B van Rees
- Flathead Lake Biological Station, Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Polson, MT, United States
| | - B K Hand
- Flathead Lake Biological Station, Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Polson, MT, United States
| | - C C Muhlfeld
- Flathead Lake Biological Station, Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Polson, MT, United States.,U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Glacier National Park, West Glacier, MT, United States.,Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, WA Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
| | - G Luikart
- Flathead Lake Biological Station, Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Polson, MT, United States
| | - J S Kimball
- Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group, WA Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States.,Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, WA Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
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18
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Arenas-Castro S, Sillero N. Cross-scale monitoring of habitat suitability changes using satellite time series and ecological niche models. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 784:147172. [PMID: 34088022 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
One of the biggest challenges to deal with the global crisis of biodiversity loss is the lack of efficient and viable monitoring systems across scales. Unlike traditional in situ biodiversity monitoring, a usually costly and time-consuming enterprise, satellite remote sensing (SRS) data offer a technically feasible and sustainable in time solution. Here, we devise a cost-effective and upgradeable spatiotemporal framework for monitoring the species-specific habitat availability changes across scales by trend analysis of habitat suitability index (HSI) derived from ecological niche models (ENMs; Maxent) and using time series of SRS data (MODIS). The SRS-ENM framework was applied for a large suite of native species (911), from major taxonomic groups (flora (vascular plants), amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals), and listed in the IUCN Red List at regional (Iberian Peninsula) and continental (Europe) scales. The HSI-trend analyses predict cumulative reductions in habitat suitability for Threatened and Non-Threatened species across scales for the period 2002-2016. Specifically, 19% and 66% of the total grid cells for both species' groups showed negative trends at both regional and continental scales, respectively. Results were similar when considering all IUCN threat categories. All taxa groups showed a decrease in habitat suitability, but amphibians and reptiles groups hosted the largest number of negative HSI-trends grid cells. Considering all groups together, 12% and 34% of both study areas have strong reductions in habitat quality. We conclude that our framework detects increases and decreases in species' habitat suitability regardless of the spatial scale, extent, and pixel size. Species' range predictions across space and time based on SRS time series represent a promising Earth observation tool to support traditional risk assessment protocols and anticipate the decision-making process, while serving as a cross-scale biodiversity monitoring system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Arenas-Castro
- CICGE - Centro de Investigação em Ciências Geo-Espaciais, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Observatório Astronómico "Prof. Manuel de Barros", Alameda do Monte da Virgem, 4430-146 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
| | - Neftalí Sillero
- CICGE - Centro de Investigação em Ciências Geo-Espaciais, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Observatório Astronómico "Prof. Manuel de Barros", Alameda do Monte da Virgem, 4430-146 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
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19
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Schwager P, Berg C. Remote sensing variables improve species distribution models for alpine plant species. Basic Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2021.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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20
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Carlson BS, Rotics S, Nathan R, Wikelski M, Jetz W. Individual environmental niches in mobile organisms. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4572. [PMID: 34315894 PMCID: PMC8316569 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24826-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Individual variation is increasingly recognized as a central component of ecological processes, but its role in structuring environmental niche associations remains largely unknown. Species' responses to environmental conditions are ultimately determined by the niches of single individuals, yet environmental associations are typically captured only at the level of species. Here, we develop scenarios for how individual variation may combine to define the compound environmental niche of populations, use extensive movement data to document individual environmental niche variation, test associated hypotheses of niche configuration, and examine the consistency of individual niches over time. For 45 individual white storks (Ciconia ciconia; 116 individual-year combinations), we uncover high variability in individual environmental associations, consistency of individual niches over time, and moderate to strong niche specialization. Within populations, environmental niches follow a nested pattern, with individuals arranged along a specialist-to-generalist gradient. These results reject common assumptions of individual niche equivalency among conspecifics, as well as the separation of individual niches into disparate parts of environmental space. These findings underscore the need for a more thorough consideration of individualistic environmental responses in global change research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben S Carlson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Shay Rotics
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Movement Ecology Laboratory, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ran Nathan
- Movement Ecology Laboratory, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Martin Wikelski
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Walter Jetz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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21
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Linking the Remote Sensing of Geodiversity and Traits Relevant to Biodiversity—Part II: Geomorphology, Terrain and Surfaces. REMOTE SENSING 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/rs12223690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The status, changes, and disturbances in geomorphological regimes can be regarded as controlling and regulating factors for biodiversity. Therefore, monitoring geomorphology at local, regional, and global scales is not only necessary to conserve geodiversity, but also to preserve biodiversity, as well as to improve biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management. Numerous remote sensing (RS) approaches and platforms have been used in the past to enable a cost-effective, increasingly freely available, comprehensive, repetitive, standardized, and objective monitoring of geomorphological characteristics and their traits. This contribution provides a state-of-the-art review for the RS-based monitoring of these characteristics and traits, by presenting examples of aeolian, fluvial, and coastal landforms. Different examples for monitoring geomorphology as a crucial discipline of geodiversity using RS are provided, discussing the implementation of RS technologies such as LiDAR, RADAR, as well as multi-spectral and hyperspectral sensor technologies. Furthermore, data products and RS technologies that could be used in the future for monitoring geomorphology are introduced. The use of spectral traits (ST) and spectral trait variation (STV) approaches with RS enable the status, changes, and disturbances of geomorphic diversity to be monitored. We focus on the requirements for future geomorphology monitoring specifically aimed at overcoming some key limitations of ecological modeling, namely: the implementation and linking of in-situ, close-range, air- and spaceborne RS technologies, geomorphic traits, and data science approaches as crucial components for a better understanding of the geomorphic impacts on complex ecosystems. This paper aims to impart multidimensional geomorphic information obtained by RS for improved utilization in biodiversity monitoring.
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22
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Model-Assisted Bird Monitoring Based on Remotely Sensed Ecosystem Functioning and Atlas Data. REMOTE SENSING 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/rs12162549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Urgent action needs to be taken to halt global biodiversity crisis. To be effective in the implementation of such action, managers and policy-makers need updated information on the status and trends of biodiversity. Here, we test the ability of remotely sensed ecosystem functioning attributes (EFAs) to predict the distribution of 73 bird species with different life-history traits. We run ensemble species distribution models (SDMs) trained with bird atlas data and 12 EFAs describing different dimensions of carbon cycle and surface energy balance. Our ensemble SDMs—exclusively based on EFAs—hold a high predictive capacity across 71 target species (up to 0.94 and 0.79 of Area Under the ROC curve and true skill statistic (TSS)). Our results showed the life-history traits did not significantly affect SDM performance. Overall, minimum Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and maximum Albedo values (descriptors of primary productivity and energy balance) were the most important predictors across our bird community. Our approach leverages the existing atlas data and provides an alternative method to monitor inter-annual bird habitat dynamics from space in the absence of long-term biodiversity monitoring schemes. This study illustrates the great potential that satellite remote sensing can contribute to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and to the Essential Biodiversity Variables framework (EBV class “Species distribution”).
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From Nucleotides to Satellite Imagery: Approaches to Identify and Manage the Invasive Pathogen Xylella fastidiosa and Its Insect Vectors in Europe. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12114508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Biological invasions represent some of the most severe threats to local communities and ecosystems. Among invasive species, the vector-borne pathogen Xylella fastidiosa is responsible for a wide variety of plant diseases and has profound environmental, social and economic impacts. Once restricted to the Americas, it has recently invaded Europe, where multiple dramatic outbreaks have highlighted critical challenges for its management. Here, we review the most recent advances on the identification, distribution and management of X. fastidiosa and its insect vectors in Europe through genetic and spatial ecology methodologies. We underline the most important theoretical and technological gaps that remain to be bridged. Challenges and future research directions are discussed in the light of improving our understanding of this invasive species, its vectors and host–pathogen interactions. We highlight the need of including different, complimentary outlooks in integrated frameworks to substantially improve our knowledge on invasive processes and optimize resources allocation. We provide an overview of genetic, spatial ecology and integrated approaches that will aid successful and sustainable management of one of the most dangerous threats to European agriculture and ecosystems.
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Ecological Niche Models Reveal Climate Change Effect on Biogeographical Regions: The Iberian Peninsula as a Case Study. CLIMATE 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/cli8030042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
How species are distributed on Earth depends largely on climate factors. Whenever these environmental conditions change, species tend to shift their distributions to reach more favourable conditions. Distinct sets of species similarly distributed (i.e., chorotypes) occur in biogeographical regions with homogeneous environmental conditions. Here, we analysed whether biogeographical regions are unstable over time (from the past to the future). We modelled the realised niche of amphibians and reptiles in the Iberian Peninsula in the present, and several past and future climate scenarios. Then, we used Jaccard’s index and the unweighted pair group method (UPGMA) to define the biogeographical regions. Our results suggest that the biogeographical regions of Iberian amphibians and reptiles changed greatly over time, due to the climatic changes between periods. Biogeographical regions composed of species with Atlantic affinities changed particularly, overall gaining suitable areas in past colder periods and losing suitable areas in warmer periods. The areas of refugia for amphibians over time corresponded to the most humid regions (north-west of the peninsula), while the most important areas for reptiles occur in the south and on the Atlantic coast. The identification of biogeographical patterns considering past climate changes is essential to better apply conservation measures.
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Predicting Microhabitat Suitability for an Endangered Small Mammal Using Sentinel-2 Data. REMOTE SENSING 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/rs12030562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Accurate mapping is a main challenge for endangered small-sized terrestrial species. Freely available spatio-temporal data at high resolution from multispectral satellite offer excellent opportunities for improving predictive distribution models of such species based on fine-scale habitat features, thus making it easier to achieve comprehensive biodiversity conservation goals. However, there are still few examples showing the utility of remote-sensing-based products in mapping microhabitat suitability for small species of conservation concern. Here, we address this issue using Sentinel-2 sensor-derived habitat variables, used in combination with more commonly used explanatory variables (e.g., topography), to predict the distribution of the endangered Cabrera vole (Microtus cabrerae) in agrosilvopastorial systems. Based on vole surveys conducted in two different seasons over a ~176,000 ha landscape in Southern Portugal, we assessed the significance of each predictor in explaining Cabrera vole occurrence using the Boruta algorithm, a novel Random forest variant for dealing with high dimensionality of explanatory variables. Overall, results showed a strong contribution of Sentinel-2-derived variables for predicting microhabitat suitability of Cabrera voles. In particular, we found that photosynthetic activity (NDI45), specific spectral signal (SWIR1), and landscape heterogeneity (Rao’s Q) were good proxies of Cabrera voles’ microhabitat, mostly during temporally greener and wetter conditions. In addition to remote-sensing-based variables, the presence of road verges was also an important driver of voles’ distribution, highlighting their potential role as refuges and/or corridors. Overall, our study supports the use of remote-sensing data to predict microhabitat suitability for endangered small-sized species in marginal areas that potentially hold most of the biodiversity found in human-dominated landscapes. We believe our approach can be widely applied to other species, for which detailed habitat mapping over large spatial extents is difficult to obtain using traditional descriptors. This would certainly contribute to improving conservation planning, thereby contributing to global conservation efforts in landscapes that are managed for multiple purposes.
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Vaz AS, Alcaraz-Segura D, Vicente JR, Honrado JP. The Many Roles of Remote Sensing in Invasion Science. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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