Distribution and Conservation Status of the Eichwald’s Toad, Bufo eichwaldi in Azerbaijan

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-18
Author(s):  
Artem A. Kidov ◽  
Kseniya A. Matushkina ◽  
Spartak N. Litvinchuk
Keyword(s):  
Species Distribution Model ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
The Caspian Sea ◽  
The West ◽  
The North ◽  
State Boundary ◽  
Northwestern Iran ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Suitable Habitats

Distribution of Bufo eichwaldi in Azerbaijan was analyzed with the modeling application in Maxent. Based on 36 localities of the species, we developed a species distribution model for identification of suitable habitats. Two variables (annual precipitation and environmental habitat heterogeneity) accounted for 70% of the predicted range. The range of the species is limited in the East by a coast of the Caspian Sea, in the North and the West by dray steppes. In the South, the range crosses the state boundary and extends into northwestern Iran. All localities of this species are ranged from -26 m to 1000 m above sea level. The following main factors infuse the decline of B. eichwaldi populations: introduction of fishes and raccoons, destruction and contamination of suitable breeding ponds, and deforestation.

scholarly journals Climate change enlarges China’s Great Bustards’ (Otis tarda dybowskii) suitable wintering distribution in the 21st century

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunrong Mi ◽  
Huettmann Falk ◽  
Yumin Guo
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Random Forest ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Species Distribution Model ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Current Conservation ◽  
Otis Tarda ◽  
Changing Climate ◽  
The North ◽  
Suitable Habitats

Rapidly changing climate makes humans realize that there is a critical need to rethink the current conservation and incorporate climate change adaptation into conservation planning. Whether Great Bustards’ (Otis tarda dybowskii), a globally endangered species whose population is approximately 1,500~2,200 individuals in China, would survive in a changing climate environment is an important protection issue. In this study, we selected the most suitable species distribution model for bustards from four machine learning models, combining two modelling approaches (TreeNet and Random Forest) with two sets of variables (correlated variables removed or not), using common evaluation methods (AUC, Kappa and TSS) and independent testing data. We found Random Forest with all environmental variables outperformed in all assessment methods. Projected the best model to the latest IPCC-CMIP5 climate scenarios (RCP 2.6, 4.5 and 8.5 in BCC-CSM1-1), we found suitable wintering habitats in the current bustards distribution would increase during the 21st century, and dramatically extend eastwards, lightly northwards and westwards, with ongoing climate change. Northeast Plain and the south of North China and the North of East China would become two major suitable wintering habitats of bustards. However, some current suitable habitats will experience a reduction, such as in Middle and Lower Yangtze. Although our results suggest the habitats quantity and quality would widen with climate changing, greater efforts should be undertaken on human disturbance, such as pollution, hunting, unsuitable agriculture development, infrastructure construction, habitat fragmentation, oil and mine exploitation. All of which are negatively and intensely linked with global change.

Identifying suitable habitats and current conservation status of a rare and elusive reptile in Iran

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 355-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa M. Chefaoui ◽  
Mahboubeh Sadat Hosseinzadeh ◽  
Meysam Mashayekhi ◽  
Barbod Safaei-Mahroo ◽  
Seyed Mahdi Kazemi
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Species Distribution Model ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Reliable Estimate ◽  
Current Conservation ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Maximum Entropy Modeling ◽  
Suitable Habitats

Abstract Knowledge gaps regarding species distribution and abundance are great in remote regions with political instability, and they might be even larger concerning elusive and rare species. We predict the potential distribution for Hierophis andreanus, a poorly known endemic snake in the Iranian Plateau, and assess its conservation status in relation to existing protected areas. We used a maximum entropy modeling tool and Mahalanobis distance to produce an ensemble species distribution model. The most suitable habitats where located mainly in mountain ranges and adjacent areas of Iran and Afghanistan. Mean temperature and slope were the most important predictors for our models. Furthermore, just five localities for H. andreanus were inside the Iranian protected areas. A 10 km expansion from existing boundaries of protected areas in all directions would double protected localities to 10, and a 20 km buffer would result in 13 protected localities. Our findings are particularly valuable to select locations to conduct new surveys and produce a more reliable estimate of current population size to improve conservation and management for this reptile in the Irano-Anatolian region.

scholarly journals Climate change enlarges China’s Great Bustards’ (Otis tarda dybowskii) suitable wintering distribution in the 21st century

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunrong Mi ◽  
Huettmann Falk ◽  
Yumin Guo
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Random Forest ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Species Distribution Model ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Current Conservation ◽  
Otis Tarda ◽  
Changing Climate ◽  
The North ◽  
Suitable Habitats

Rapidly changing climate makes humans realize that there is a critical need to rethink the current conservation and incorporate climate change adaptation into conservation planning. Whether Great Bustards’ (Otis tarda dybowskii), a globally endangered species whose population is approximately 1,500~2,200 individuals in China, would survive in a changing climate environment is an important protection issue. In this study, we selected the most suitable species distribution model for bustards from four machine learning models, combining two modelling approaches (TreeNet and Random Forest) with two sets of variables (correlated variables removed or not), using common evaluation methods (AUC, Kappa and TSS) and independent testing data. We found Random Forest with all environmental variables outperformed in all assessment methods. Projected the best model to the latest IPCC-CMIP5 climate scenarios (RCP 2.6, 4.5 and 8.5 in BCC-CSM1-1), we found suitable wintering habitats in the current bustards distribution would increase during the 21st century, and dramatically extend eastwards, lightly northwards and westwards, with ongoing climate change. Northeast Plain and the south of North China and the North of East China would become two major suitable wintering habitats of bustards. However, some current suitable habitats will experience a reduction, such as in Middle and Lower Yangtze. Although our results suggest the habitats quantity and quality would widen with climate changing, greater efforts should be undertaken on human disturbance, such as pollution, hunting, unsuitable agriculture development, infrastructure construction, habitat fragmentation, oil and mine exploitation. All of which are negatively and intensely linked with global change.

scholarly journals Redescription, geographic distribution and ecological niche modeling of Elapomorphus wuchereri (Serpentes: Dipsadidae)

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Machado Entiauspe-Neto ◽  
Márcia Ferret Renner ◽  
Conrado Mario-da-Rosa ◽  
Arthur Diesel Abegg ◽  
Daniel Loebmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Distribution ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Species Distribution Model ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Original Description ◽  
Niche Modeling ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Taxonomic History ◽  
History Of

The original description of Elapomorphus wuchereri Günther, 1861 included a drawing and brief comments about the morphology of three specimens; two of the latter belong to another species and the holotype is lost. Based on the discovery of new specimens, we redescribe Elapomorphus wuchereri and designate a neotype. We discuss the variation and the taxonomic history of the species, and based on the results of a species distribution model analysis (SDM), we describe the distribution, extent of occurrence, and conservation status.

New records and a revision of the actual and potential distribution of Discoglossus montalentii to facilitate future conservation assessments

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-274
Author(s):  
Wouter Beukema ◽  
Giacomo Bruni
Keyword(s):  
Practical Knowledge ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Potential Range ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
The North ◽  
Conservation Assessments ◽  
Suitable Habitats

Abstract The Corsican Painted Frog Discoglossus montalentii has received little research attention since its discovery, which creates uncertainty about its distribution and conservation status. We here use a combination of field surveys, ecological niche modelling (ENM) and niche overlap analyses to (i) update the D. montalentii distribution; (ii) determine its potential range, and (iii) assess if presence of Discoglossus sardus influences that of D. montalentii. Our surveys reveal presence of D. montalentii at low and mid-altitudes throughout Cap Corse and near the north-western coast, while ENMs suggest that similar climatically and topographically suitable habitats occur beyond the confirmed range in northern- and westernmost Corsica. No evidence for competitive exclusion by D. sardus was found, with both species displaying broad niche overlap at macroscale. Whether potential differences between these species do exist at microhabitat level remains worth exploring. We finally review the conservation status of D. montalentii, and assemble practical knowledge to inform future conservation assessments.

scholarly journals Species Favourability Shift in Europe due to Climate Change: A Case Study for Fagus sylvatica L. and Picea abies (L.) Karst. Based on an Ensemble of Climate Models

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Falk ◽  
Nils Hempelmann
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Species Distribution Model ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Regional Climate Models ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Continental Scale ◽  
The North

Climate is the main environmental driver determining the spatial distribution of most tree species at the continental scale. We investigated the distribution change of European beech and Norway spruce due to climate change. We applied a species distribution model (SDM), driven by an ensemble of 21 regional climate models in order to study the shift of the favourability distribution of these species. SDMs were parameterized for 1971–2000, as well as 2021–2050 and 2071–2100 using the SRES scenario A1B and three physiological meaningful climate variables. Growing degree sum and precipitation sum were calculated for the growing season on a basis of daily data. Results show a general north-eastern and altitudinal shift in climatological favourability for both species, although the shift is more marked for spruce. The gain of new favourable sites in the north or in the Alps is stronger for beech compared to spruce. Uncertainty is expressed as the variance of the averaged maps and with a density function. Uncertainty in species distribution increases over time. This study demonstrates the importance of data ensembles and shows how to deal with different outcomes in order to improve impact studies by showing uncertainty of the resulting maps.

scholarly journals Modelling the spatial-temporal distributions and associated determining factors of a keystone pelagic fish

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Andrews ◽  
Shawn J. Leroux ◽  
Marie-Josée Fortin
Keyword(s):  
Species Distribution Model ◽  
Spatial Dynamics ◽  
Predictive Modelling ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Pelagic Species ◽  
The North ◽  
Determining Factors ◽  
The North Atlantic Oscillation ◽  
Over Time

AbstractMobile pelagic species habitat is structured around dynamic oceanographic and ecological processes which operate and interact horizontally and vertically throughout the water column and change over time. However, pelagic species movements and distributions are often poorly understood. We use the Maxent species distribution model to assess how changes in the relative importance of modelled oceanographic (e.g., temperature) and climatic variables (e.g., the North Atlantic Oscillation) over 17-years affect the monthly average horizontal and vertical distribution of a keystone pelagic forage species, Atlantic Canadian capelin (Mallotus villosus). We show the range and distribution of capelin occurrence probabilities vary across horizontal and vertical axes over time, with binary presence/absence predictions indicating capelin occupy between 0.72% (April) and 3.45% (November) of the total modelled space. Furthermore, our analysis reveals that the importance of modelled oceanographic variables, such as temperature, vary between months (44% permutation importance in August to 2% in May). By capturing the spatial dynamics of capelin over horizontal, vertical, and temporal axes, our analysis builds on work that improves our understanding and predictive modelling ability of pelagic species distributions under current and future conditions for pro-active ecosystem-based management.

Species Distribution Models (SDM) – A Strategic Tool for Predicting Suitable Habitats for Conserving the Target Species

2017 ◽  
pp. 427-440
Author(s):  
Balaguru Balakrishnan ◽  
Nagamurugan Nandakumar ◽  
Soosairaj Sebastin ◽  
Khaleel Ahamed Abdul Kareem
Keyword(s):  
Species Distribution ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Species Distribution Models ◽  
Species Distribution Model ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Suitable Habitats

Conservation of the species in their native landscapes required understanding patterns of spatial distribution of species and their ecological connectivity through Species Distribution Models (SDM) by generation and integration of spatial data from different sources using Geographical Information System (GIS) tools. SDM is an ecological/spatial model which combines datasets and maps of occurrence of target species and their geographical and environmental variables by linking various algorithms together, that has been applied to either identify or predict the regions fulfilling the set conditions. This article is focused on comprehensive review of spatial data requirements, statistical algorithms and softwares used to generate the SDMs. This chapter also includes a case study predicting the suitable habitat distribution of Gnetum ula, an endemic and vulnerable plant species using maximum entropy (MaxEnt) species distribution model for species occurrences with inputs from environmental variables such as bioclimate and elevation.

Distribution and Conservation Status of the Hyrcanian Wood Frog (Rana pseudodalmatina) in Azerbaijan

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-107
Author(s):  
Artem Aleksandrovich Kidov ◽  
Spartak Nikolaevich Litvinchuk
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Wood Frog ◽  
Homogeneity Index ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
The North ◽  
The Common ◽  
Main Factors

In Azerbaijan, the Hyrcanian wood frog (Rana pseudodalmatina) usually inhabits forests in the Talysh Mountains and the Lenkoran Lowland from –28 to 2265 m above sea level. Drier regions to the north and west of the Talysh Mountains limit the species distribution. The species can locally penetrate to a no forested zone in the northern and western foothills of the Talysh Mountains and the Zuvand Desert. In order to study the distribution and estimate ecological preferences of the species, we applied MaxEnt using 98 localities from Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkmenistan. The range of the species covers mainly pre-Caspian slopes of the Talysh and Alborz ridges. Of the parameters included in the model, the precipitation of driest month and the habitat homogeneity (index related to vegetation types) were variables with highest percentage contributions. Based on our data, in Azerbaijan R. pseudodalmatina is very common species in most places and in some localities is the most numerous amphibian species. The frog does not avoid human-transformed biotopes. The main factors influenced on a local declining of R. pseudodalmatina are the introduction of fishes (including invasive) and the common raccoon, destruction and contamination of suitable breeding water bodies. The most suitable method of conservation of the frog is construction of new ponds for their reproduction and wintering.

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