Mapping suitability for rice production in inland valley landscapes in Benin and Togo using environmental niche modeling

AbstractWe examine how different datasets, including georeferenced hardcopy maps of different extents and georeferenced herbarium specimens (spanning the range from 100 to 85,000 km2) influence ecological niche modeling. We check 13 of the available environmental niche modeling algorithms, using 30 metrics to score their validity and evaluate which are useful for the selection of the best model. The validation is made using an independent dataset comprised of presences and absences collected in a range-wide field survey of Carpathian endemic plant Leucanthemum rotundifolium (Compositae). Our analysis of models’ predictive performances indicates that almost all datasets may be used for the construction of a species distributional range. Both very local and very general datasets can produce useful predictions, which may be more detailed than the original ranges. Results also highlight the possibility of using the data from manually georeferenced archival sources in reconstructions aimed at establishing species’ ecological niches. We discuss possible applications of those data and associated problems. For the evaluation of models, we suggest employing AUC, MAE, and Bias. We show an example of how AUC and MAE may be combined to select the model with the best performance.

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Assessing the status of critically endangered Kondana soft-furred rat (Millardia kondana) using integrative taxonomy: combining evidence from morphological, molecular and environmental niche modeling

Mammalia ◽

10.1515/mammalia-2019-0056 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 84 (4) ◽

pp. 392-406

Author(s):

Sameer B. Bajaru ◽

Aparna Lajmi ◽

Ranjit Manakadan ◽

Amol R. Kulavmode ◽

Uma Ramakrishnan

Keyword(s):

Taxonomic Status ◽

Niche Modeling ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Environmental Niche ◽

Sister Relationship ◽

Environmental Niche Modeling ◽

Precipitation Seasonality ◽

Significant Difference

AbstractKondana soft-furred rat is a critically endangered (CR) species, known from a single locality – Sinhgad in the northern Western Ghats, India. However, the taxonomic status of this species is uncertain due to its close resemblance to the widely distributed soft-furred field rat Millardia meltada, which has serious implications on the conservation status of Millardia kondana. In this study, we assessed the current taxonomic status of M. kondana through an integrative approach combining morphological, molecular and environmental niche modeling analyses. We collected morphological data from the specimens around Sinhgad as well as preserved specimens in the museum. Both morphological and two-dimensional (2D) morphometrical analyses showed a significant difference between M. kondana and M. meltada. Molecular phylogeny based on cytochrome b gene revealed a sister relationship between M. kondana and M. meltada, and both species form distinct well-supported monophyletic clades. Niche modeling also predicted niche segregation between the two species: M. kondana preferred areas with a high elevation and precipitation seasonality while M. meltada favored regions with a low elevation and precipitation. We confirmed that M. kondana is taxonomically distinct from M. meltada, and based on our estimates of its occurrence and occupancy, M. kondana continues to be treated as CR until further detailed investigations.

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Circum-Mediterranean phylogeography of a bat coupled with past environmental niche modeling: A new paradigm for the recolonization of Europe?

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution ◽

10.1016/j.ympev.2016.03.024 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 99 ◽

pp. 323-336 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Raşit Bilgin ◽

Kanat Gürün ◽

Hugo Rebelo ◽

Sebastien J. Puechmaille ◽

Öncü Maracı ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Niche Modeling ◽

Environmental Niche ◽

New Paradigm ◽

Environmental Niche Modeling

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Gap analysis and implications for seasonal management on a local scale

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.5622 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. e5622

Author(s):

Li Yang ◽

Baofeng Zhang ◽

Xinrui Wang ◽

Yueheng Ren ◽

Jinlin Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nature Reserve ◽

Ecological Niche Modeling ◽

Gap Analysis ◽

Popular Science ◽

Local Scale ◽

Niche Modeling ◽

Environmental Niche ◽

Priority Areas ◽

Trapping Field ◽

Environmental Niche Modeling

Background Identifying biodiversity hotspots on a local scale, using multiple data sources, and ecological niche modeling, has the potential to contribute to more effective nature reserve management. Methods In this study, we used infrared-triggered camera trapping, field surveys, and interviews to create a dataset on the distribution of species (mammals and birds) in Hebei Wulingshan Nature Reserve (Hebei Province, China). Results We identified 101 species (14 orders, 38 families), 64 of which (2,142 effective records) were selected for environmental niche modeling. All results were reclassified into three groups: “priority areas” (areas including the potential distributions of over 80% of species), “important areas” (those with 50% of species), and “normal areas” (all other areas). Our results show that priority areas (1.31–1.82 km2) and important areas (7.73–21.44 km2) for conservation were mainly covered by the core and experimental zones of the reserve; additionally, a kilometer-wide margin around the outside of the nature reserve seems to be important to maintaining biodiversity. Discussion We close by suggesting some actions for enhancing conservation of biodiversity in the reserve, including monitoring, strengthen law enforcements, introducing popular science, and co-operating with local people.

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Genesis, Evolution, and Genetic Diversity of the Hexaploid, Narrow Endemic Centaurea tentudaica

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d13020072 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 72

Author(s):

Lucía D. Moreyra ◽

Francisco Márquez ◽

Alfonso Susanna ◽

Núria Garcia-Jacas ◽

Francisco María Vázquez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Unknown Origin ◽

Glacial Maximum ◽

Niche Modeling ◽

Interglacial Period ◽

Environmental Niche ◽

Last Interglacial ◽

Environmental Niche Modeling ◽

Last Interglacial Period ◽

Close Relationship

Within the genus Centaurea L., polyploidy is very common, and it is believed that, as to all angiosperms, it was key in the history of its diversification and evolution. Centaurea tentudaica is a hexaploid from subsect. Chamaecyanus of unknown origin. In this study, we examined the possible autopolyploid or allopolyploid origin using allozymes and sequences of three molecular markers: nuclear-ribosomic region ETS, and low-copy genes AGT1 and PgiC. We also included three species geographically and morphologically close to C. tentudaica: C. amblensis, C. galianoi, and C. ornata. Neighbor-Net and Bayesian analyses show a close relationship between C. amblensis and C. tentudaica and no relationship to any of the other species, which suggest that C. tentudaica is an autopolyploid of C. amblensis. Allozyme banding pattern also supports the autopolyploidy hypothesis and shows high levels of genetic diversity in the polyploid, which could suggest multiple origins by recurrent crosses of tetraploid and diploid cytotypes of C. amblensis. Environmental niche modeling was used to analyze the distribution of the possible parental species during the present, Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), Last Interglacial Period (LIG), and Penultimate Glacial Maximum (PGM) environmental conditions. Supporting the molecular suggestions that C. tentudaica originated from C. amblensis, environmental niche modeling confirms that past distribution of C. amblensis overlapped with the distribution of C. tentudaica.

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Phylogeographic analysis and environmental niche modeling of the plain-bellied watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster) reveals low levels of genetic and ecological differentiation

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution ◽

10.1016/j.ympev.2010.03.012 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 55 (3) ◽

pp. 985-995 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Robert Makowsky ◽

John C. Marshall ◽

John McVay ◽

Paul T. Chippindale ◽

Leslie J. Rissler

Keyword(s):

Niche Modeling ◽

Environmental Niche ◽

Ecological Differentiation ◽

Phylogeographic Analysis ◽

Environmental Niche Modeling ◽

Low Levels ◽

Nerodia Erythrogaster

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Temporal differentiation in environmental niche modeling of Nearctic narrow-winged damselflies (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

10.7287/peerj.preprints.27261 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Emily L Sandall ◽

Andrew R Deans

Keyword(s):

Environmental Variables ◽

Niche Modeling ◽

Environmental Niche ◽

Modeling And Analysis ◽

Distribution Maps ◽

Occurrence Data ◽

Specimen Collection ◽

Environmental Niche Modeling ◽

Time Periods ◽

Niche Models

Narrow-winged damselflies (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) can be observed in a variety of habitats, by both professional collectors and amateur odonatologists. Their abundance and ease of recognition has resulted in a large amount of occurrence data, which can be used to establish species distribution maps through environmental niche modeling. Distributional models often aim to maximize the quantity of occurrence points and environmental variables to relate to the distribution, neglecting both the quality and overlap of these two datasets when generating the models. In order to examine the effects of temporal data and environmental variables influencing change in species distributions, we used occurrence data for twelve species of Coenagrionidae damselflies to generate niche models separated by time periods of specimen collection. Our study examines environmental niche models generated for four time periods for each of these coenagrionid species: Amphiagrion abbreivatum (Selys,1876), Enallagma civile (Hagen,1861), Chromagrion conditum (Hagen in Selys, 1876), Nehalennia gracilis Morse, 1895, Enallagma hageni (Walsh, 1863), Hesperagrion heterodoxum (Selys, 1868), Nehalennia irene (Hagen, 1861), Argia moesta (Hagen, 1861), Ischnura ramburii (Selys, 1850), Argia tibialis (Rambur, 1842), Argia translata Hagen in Selys, 1865, and Argia vivida Hagen in Selys, 1865. The best supported models in each analysis were generated with occurrences of specimens collected from the 1970s to 2000s, and we used occurrence data outside of this range, from the 1800s to 2017, to compare the consistency of model predictions based on specimens of different time periods. In this approach, combining traditional environmental niche modeling and analysis of the specimen records themselves, we have found that ranges for narrow-winged damselflies expand over time, with increase in distributional coverage and decrease in model strength without temporal overlap between occurrences and environmental variables.

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Temporal differentiation in environmental niche modeling of Nearctic narrow-winged damselflies (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

10.7287/peerj.preprints.27261v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Emily L Sandall ◽

Andrew R Deans

Keyword(s):

Environmental Variables ◽

Niche Modeling ◽

Environmental Niche ◽

Modeling And Analysis ◽

Distribution Maps ◽

Occurrence Data ◽

Specimen Collection ◽

Environmental Niche Modeling ◽

Time Periods ◽

Niche Models

Narrow-winged damselflies (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) can be observed in a variety of habitats, by both professional collectors and amateur odonatologists. Their abundance and ease of recognition has resulted in a large amount of occurrence data, which can be used to establish species distribution maps through environmental niche modeling. Distributional models often aim to maximize the quantity of occurrence points and environmental variables to relate to the distribution, neglecting both the quality and overlap of these two datasets when generating the models. In order to examine the effects of temporal data and environmental variables influencing change in species distributions, we used occurrence data for twelve species of Coenagrionidae damselflies to generate niche models separated by time periods of specimen collection. Our study examines environmental niche models generated for four time periods for each of these coenagrionid species: Amphiagrion abbreivatum (Selys,1876), Enallagma civile (Hagen,1861), Chromagrion conditum (Hagen in Selys, 1876), Nehalennia gracilis Morse, 1895, Enallagma hageni (Walsh, 1863), Hesperagrion heterodoxum (Selys, 1868), Nehalennia irene (Hagen, 1861), Argia moesta (Hagen, 1861), Ischnura ramburii (Selys, 1850), Argia tibialis (Rambur, 1842), Argia translata Hagen in Selys, 1865, and Argia vivida Hagen in Selys, 1865. The best supported models in each analysis were generated with occurrences of specimens collected from the 1970s to 2000s, and we used occurrence data outside of this range, from the 1800s to 2017, to compare the consistency of model predictions based on specimens of different time periods. In this approach, combining traditional environmental niche modeling and analysis of the specimen records themselves, we have found that ranges for narrow-winged damselflies expand over time, with increase in distributional coverage and decrease in model strength without temporal overlap between occurrences and environmental variables.

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