Development and evaluation of a habitat suitability model for young lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the North Channel of the St. Clair River, Michigan

2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (7) ◽  
pp. 1000-1008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph R. Krieger ◽  
James S. Diana
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Lake Sturgeon ◽  
Acipenser Fulvescens ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Spawning Habitat ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Habitat Suitability Modeling ◽  
The North ◽  
River Bends

We evaluated the quantity, quality, and spatial distribution of riverine nursery habitat for larval, young-of-year (YOY), and juvenile (<500 mm) lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the North Channel of the St. Clair River (SCR), Michigan, using habitat suitability modeling (HSM) and fish collections. This HSM was developed using georeferenced habitat information on substrates, invertebrate densities, benthic flow velocities, and water depth. High-quality habitat comprised 29.1% of the study area, primarily in river bends and other areas where water velocities were highly varied. In all, 283 larval lake sturgeon were collected, with the majority found in high-quality habitat (81%) and heavily clustered in three locations (91.2% of total catch). Substrate composition and benthic flow velocity were the best indicators of observed larval catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) patterns. Available data on captured YOY and juveniles were used to corroborate modeled habitat output and revealed strong associations between modeled habitat conditions and young lake sturgeon presence. An abundance of suitable habitat for young lake sturgeon within the North Channel of the SCR suggests that lack of suitable spawning habitat or high mortality early in life limits recruitment success in this system.

scholarly journals Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) spawning habitat: a quantitative review

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 925-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
André-Marcel Baril ◽  
John T. Buszkiewicz ◽  
Pascale M. Biron ◽  
Quinton E. Phelps ◽  
James W.A. Grant
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Lake Sturgeon ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Small Rivers ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Acipenser Fulvescens ◽  
Spawning Habitat ◽  
Quantitative Review ◽  
The Family

The loss of spawning habitat has been identified as a limiting factor to population growth for lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens, the most widely distributed species of the family in North America. While local information exists about lake sturgeon spawning habitat, a synthesis of all available data is needed across its range. Our study used meta-analytical techniques to describe the mean and range of critical spawning habitat characteristics based on data from 48 sites across all major watersheds in which lake sturgeon are found. Data were compiled into univariate habitat suitability indices to describe the spawning niche. Results indicate that peak suitability occurred at depth-averaged velocities of 0.6 m·s−1, depths of 0.55–0.85 m in small rivers (<100 m3·s−1 annual average discharge) and 0.75–5.25 m in large rivers (>100 m3·s−1), over cobble substrates (64–256 mm), and that suitable water temperatures decreased with increasing latitude. This study provides a comprehensive review of critical spawning criteria from which future habitat suitability models can be adapted.

scholarly journals Habitat Suitability Modeling for the Newell's Shearwater on Kauai

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 315-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff R. Troy ◽  
Nick D. Holmes ◽  
Joseph A. Veech ◽  
André F. Raine ◽  
M. Clay Green
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Habitat Suitability Model ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
Habitat Suitability Modeling ◽  
Rock Fragments ◽  
The North ◽  
Isolation Index ◽  
Anthropogenic Threats ◽  
Privately Owned

Abstract The Newell's shearwater, or ‘A’o Puffinus newelli, is endemic to the main islands of the Hawaiian Archipelago and is listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List and as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Using abiotic and biotic environmental variables, we developed a terrestrial habitat suitability model for this species on Kauai to predict habitat that could be suitable in the absence of anthropogenic threats. In addition, we developed a habitat/threat-isolation index incorporating information from our suitability model to identify regions of structurally suitable habitat with less exposure to certain anthropogenic threats (relative to other portions of the island). The habitat suitability model suggests that slope, density of rock fragments within the soil, and native vegetation cover are important factors associated with the current known distribution of the Newell's shearwater on Kauai, and that a moderate portion of the sloped interior terrain of Kauai could potentially be suitable nesting habitat for this species. The habitat/threat-isolation index identified the mountains on the north-central portion of the island as structurally suitable habitat most isolated from a combination of major anthropogenic disturbances (relative to other portions of the island). Much of this region, however, is privately owned and not designated as an official reserve, which could indicate a need for increased conservation action in this region in the future. This information is important for conservation biologists and private landowners because expanding efforts to control nonnative predators, as well as management of additional lands as reserves, may be necessary for the protection and preservation of the Newell's shearwater.

scholarly journals Habitat Suitability modeling of Urial (Ovis orientalis arkal) in the Samelghan plain by using Maximum Entropy Method

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abbas Naqibzadeh ◽  
Jalil Sarhangzadeh ◽  
Ahad Sotoudeh ◽  
Marjan Mashkour ◽  
Judith Thomalsky
Keyword(s):  
Maximum Entropy ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Model Performance ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Entropy Method ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Habitat Suitability Modeling ◽  
North East ◽  
The North

Habitat suitability models are useful tools for a variety of wildlife management objectives. Distributions of wildlife species can be predicted for geographical areas that have not been extensively surveyed. The basis of these models' work is to minimize the relationship between species distribution and biotic and abiotic environments. For some species, there is information about presence and absence that allows the use of a variety of standard statistical methods, however, the absence data is not available for most species. Nowadays, the methods that need presence-only data are expanded. One of these methods is the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) modeling. The purpose of this study is to model the habitat of Urial ( Ovis orientalis arkal ) in the Samelghan plain in the North East of Iran with the MaxEnt method. This algorithm uses the Jackknife plot and percent contribution values to determine the significance of the variables. The results showed that variables such as southern aspects, Juniperus-Acer, Artemisia-Perennial plants, slope 0-5%, and asphalt road were the most important factors affecting the species’ habitat selection. The area under curve (AUC) Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) showed an excellent model performance. Suitable habitat was classified based on the threshold value (0.0513) and the ROC, which based on the results 28% of the area was a suitable habitat for Urial.

scholarly journals Prediction of leopard habitat suitability in Taman Negara main forest complex, Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (3(SI)) ◽  
pp. 806-811
Author(s):  
N.F. Khodri ◽  
◽  
T. Lihan ◽  
M.A. Mustapha ◽  
T.M. Taher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Urban Habitat ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Habitat Suitability Modeling ◽  
Presence Data ◽  
Gis Data

Aim: This research assessed the distribution of leopard to predict the habitat suitability in Taman Negara National Park and adjacent forest area. Methodology: Environmental factors for habitat suitability were derived from geographical information system (GIS) data such as elevation, slope, land-use, distance from urban and distance from river. Leopard presence data from 1993 to 2008 were integrated with the environmental parameters using maximum entropy (MaxEnt) modeling to assess habitat suitability across the study area. Results: The results showed that distance from river contributed the most (39.3%) in the habitat suitability modeling followed by distance from urban (31.4%), elevation (12.3%), land use types (10.1%), and slope (6.9%). Distance from river and urban showed highest contribution that influenced leopard distribution in which most suitable habitat occurred in proximity with river and further from urban. Habitat suitability of leopard were distributed among 48% over 2,218,389 ha of the study area. Interpretation: The findings of this study provides knowledge on how the species move and exploit different habitat niches for more effective conservation management. It provide models for future wildlife conservation and urban planning.

Spectral absorbance, structure, and population density of photoreceptors in the retina of the lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens)

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 584-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.J. Sillman ◽  
E.K. Ong ◽  
E.R. Loew
Keyword(s):  
Visual Pigment ◽  
Visual Pigments ◽  
Lake Sturgeon ◽  
Acipenser Fulvescens ◽  
Long Wavelength ◽  
Rods And Cones ◽  
The North ◽  
Spectral Absorbance ◽  
Dim Light ◽  
Scanning Electron

Lake sturgeon ( Acipenser fulvescens Rafinesque, 1817) photoreceptors were studied with scanning electron microscopy and microspectrophotometry. The retina contains both rods and cones, with cones estimated composing about 30% of the photoreceptor population. Only large single cones were identified and they are similar to those found in other species of the order Acipenseriformes. The rods are large, with long, broad outer segments, and are similar to the dominant rod found in other sturgeons and the North American paddlefish ( Polyodon spathula (Walbaum, 1792)). Mean (SD) rod packing density at 22 624 ± 3 509 rods/mm2 is low compared with those of other animals that function primarily in dim light. The visual pigment of the rods has a mean (SD) peak absorbance (λmax) at 541 ± 2 nm. Three different cone populations were identified: a long wavelength sensitive cone containing a visual pigment with λmax at 619 ± 3 nm; middle wavelength sensitive cone with λmax at 538 ± 1 nm; and short wavelength sensitive cone with λmax at 448 ± 1 nm. All the visual pigments are based on the vitamin A2 chromophore.

Modelling Atlantic mackerel spawning habitat suitability and its future distribution in the north‐west Atlantic

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-99
Author(s):  
Baye Mbaye ◽  
Thomas Doniol‐Valcroze ◽  
Pablo Brosset ◽  
Martin Castonguay ◽  
Elisabeth Van Beveren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Spawning Habitat ◽  
North West ◽  
Atlantic Mackerel ◽  
The North

scholarly journals Conservation of endangered Tipton kangaroo rats (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides): status surveys, habitat suitability, and conservation recommendations

2021 ◽  
pp. 382-397
Author(s):  
Brian L. Cypher ◽  
Scott E. Phillips ◽  
Tory L. Westall ◽  
Erin N. Tennant ◽  
Lawrence R. Saslaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Kangaroo Rats ◽  
Habitat Suitability Modeling ◽  
Kangaroo Rat ◽  
Live Trapping ◽  
Medium Quality

The Tipton kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides; TKR) is listed as endangered both Federally and by the state of California due to profound habitat loss throughout its range in the southern San Joaquin Valley of California. Habitat loss is still occurring and critical needs for TKR include identifying occupied sites, quantifying optimal habitat conditions, and conserving habitat. Our objectives were to (1) conduct surveys to identify sites where TKR were extant, (2) assess habitat attributes on all survey sites, (3) generate a GIS-based model of TKR habitat suitability, (4) use the model to determine the quantity and quality of remaining TKR habitat, and (5) use these results to develop conservation recommendations. We surveyed for TKR on 44 sites by live-trapping and detected TKR on 15 sites. Sites with TKR tended to have larger alkali scalds and no obvious sign of past tilling compared to sites without TKR. Also, sites with TKR usually had relatively sparse ground cover and seepweed (Suaeda nigra) was present. The non-protected Heermann’s kangaroo rat (Dipodomys heermanni), a larger competitor, was either absent or present in relatively low numbers at sites with TKR, and when present its abundance was inversely related to that of TKR. Based on our habitat suitability modeling, an estimated 30,000 ha of moderately high or high quality TKR habitat and 60,000 ha of lower or medium quality habitat remain. However, habitat is still being lost and conversion of at least one survey site with TKR occurred during this project. Recommendations for TKR conservation are to (1) conduct additional TKR surveys on unsurveyed but suitable sites, (2) conserve suitable habitat on unprotected lands, (3) manage vegetation on occupied sites if necessary, (4) restore disturbed lands to increase suitability for TKR, and (5) research methods and conduct translocations of TKR to unoccupied sites with suitable habitat.

scholarly journals Habitat Suitability Modeling to Inform Seascape Connectivity Conservation and Management

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 465
Author(s):  
Courtney E. Stuart ◽  
Lisa M. Wedding ◽  
Simon J. Pittman ◽  
Stephanie J. Green
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Model Comparison ◽  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Florida Keys ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Habitat Patches ◽  
Habitat Suitability Modeling ◽  
Species Specific

Coastal habitats have experienced significant degradation and fragmentation in recent decades under the strain of interacting ecosystem stressors. To maintain biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, coastal managers and restoration practitioners face the urgent tasks of identifying priority areas for protection and developing innovative, scalable approaches to habitat restoration. Facilitating these efforts are models of seascape connectivity, which represent ecological linkages across heterogeneous marine environments by predicting species-specific dispersal between suitable habitat patches. However, defining the suitable habitat patches and migratory pathways required to construct ecologically realistic connectivity models remains challenging. Focusing on two reef-associated fish species of the Florida Keys, United States of America (USA), we compared two methods for constructing species- and life stage-specific spatial models of habitat suitability—penalized logistic regression and maximum entropy (MaxEnt). The goal of the model comparison was to identify the modeling algorithm that produced the most realistic and detailed products for use in subsequent connectivity assessments. Regardless of species, MaxEnt’s ability to distinguish between suitable and unsuitable locations exceeded that of the penalized regressions. Furthermore, MaxEnt’s habitat suitability predictions more closely aligned with the known ecology of the study species, revealing the environmental conditions and spatial patterns that best support each species across the seascape, with implications for predicting connectivity pathways and the distribution of key ecological processes. Our research demonstrates MaxEnt’s promise as a scalable, species-specific, and spatially explicit tool for informing models of seascape connectivity and guiding coastal conservation efforts.

scholarly journals Mapping habitat suitability for Asiatic black bear and red panda in Makalu Barun National Park of Nepal from Maxent and GARP models

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiyi Su ◽  
Manjit Bista ◽  
Mingshi Li
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
National Park ◽  
Black Bear ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Ecological Niche Models ◽  
Asiatic Black Bear ◽  
Habitat Suitability Modeling ◽  
Red Panda ◽  
Panda Habitat

AbstractHabitat evaluation is essential for managing wildlife populations and formulating conservation policies. With the rise of innovative powerful statistical techniques in partnership with Remote Sensing, GIS and GPS techniques, spatially explicit species distribution modeling (SDM) has rapidly grown in conservation biology. These models can help us to study habitat suitability at the scale of the species range, and are particularly useful for examining the overlapping habitat between sympatric species. Species presence points collected through field GPS observations, in conjunction with 13 different topographic, vegetation related, anthropogenic, and bioclimatic variables, as well as a land cover map with seven classification categories created by support vector machine (SVM) were used to implement Maxent and GARP ecological niche models. With the resulting ecological niche models, the suitable habitat for asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) and red panda (Ailurus fulgens) in Nepal Makalu Barun National Park (MBNP) was predicted. All of the predictor variables were extracted from freely available remote sensing and publicly shared government data resources. The modeled results were validated by using an independent dataset. Analysis of the regularized training gain showed that the three most important environmental variables for habitat suitability were distance to settlement, elevation, and mean annual temperature. The habitat suitability modeling accuracy, characterized by the mean area under curve, was moderate for both species when GARP was used (0.791 for black bear and 0.786 for red panda), but was moderate for black bear (0.857), and high for red panda (0.920) when Maxent was used. The suitable habitat estimated by Maxent for black bear and red panda was 716 km2 and 343 km2 respectively, while the suitable area determined by GARP was 1074 km2 and 714 km2 respectively. Maxent predicted that the overlapping area was 83% of the red panda habitat and 40% of the black bear habitat, while GARP estimated 88% of the red panda habitat and 58% of the black bear habitat overlapped. The results of land cover exhibited that barren land covered the highest percentage of area in MBNP (36.0%) followed by forest (32.6%). Of the suitable habitat, both models indicated forest as the most preferred land cover for both species (63.7% for black bear and 61.6% for red panda from Maxent; 59.9% black bear and 58.8% for red panda from GARP). Maxent outperformed GARP in terms of habitat suitability modeling. The black bear showed higher habitat selectivity than red panda. We suggest that proper management should be given to the overlapping habitats in the buffer zone. For remote and inaccessible regions, the proposed methods are promising tools for wildlife management and conservation, deserving further popularization.

Habitat suitability modelling revealing environmental-driven abundance variability and geographical distribution shift of winter–spring cohort of neon flying squid Ommastrephes bartramii in the northwest Pacific Ocean

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 1722-1735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Yu ◽  
Xinjun Chen ◽  
Yang Zhang ◽  
Qian Yi
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Ocean ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Height Anomaly ◽  
Northwest Pacific ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Ommastrephes Bartramii ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
Northwest Pacific Ocean ◽  
The Northwest Pacific Ocean

Abstract To identify climate-related habitat changes and variations in abundance and distribution of Ommastrephes bartramii in the northwest Pacific Ocean, an habitat suitability index (HSI) model was developed in this study including sea surface temperature (SST), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and sea surface height anomaly (SSHA). The catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) of O. bartramii gradually decreased between 2006 and 2015, and the latitudinal gravity centres (LATG) of the fishing effort shifted southward. Correlation analyses suggested that CPUE was positively related to SST, PAR, and the areas of suitable and optimal habitat, but negatively correlated with SSHA and the percentages of poor habitat. A significantly positive correlation was found between the LATG and the average latitude of the most preferred SST, PAR, and the average latitude of the area with an HSI between 0.9 and 1.0. From 2006 to 2015, the annual declined CPUE was highly consistent with the increase in areas of poor habitat and the reduction in areas of suitable and optimal habitats. The south-approaching LATG coincided with the southward migration pattern of the latitude of the HSI area in the range of 0.9–1.0. Moreover, compared to the El Niño events, the La Niña events, and normal climate condition yielded enlarged suitable habitat areas for O. bartramii, and the LATG moved further north.

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