scholarly journals A validation standard for Area of Habitat maps for terrestrial birds and mammals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prabhat Raj Dahal ◽  
Maria Lumbierres ◽  
Stuart H. M. Butchart ◽  
Paul F. Donald ◽  
Carlo Rondinini
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Point Prevalence ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Elevation Range ◽  
Validation Standard ◽  
Predicted Model ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

Abstract. Area of Habitat (AOH) is a deductive model which maps the distribution of suitable habitat at suitable altitudes for a species inside its broad geographical range. AOH maps have been validated using presence-only data for small subsets of species for different taxonomic groups, but no standard validation method exists when absence data are not available. We develop a novel two-step validation protocol for AOH which includes first a model-based evaluation of model prevalence (i.e, the proportion of suitable habitat within a species’ range), and second a validation using species point localities (presence-only) data. We applied the protocol to AOH maps of terrestrial birds and mammals. In the first step we built logistic regression models to predict expected model prevalence (the proportion of the range retained as AOH) as a function of each species’ elevation range, mid-point of elevation range, number of habitats, realm and, for birds, seasonality. AOH maps with large difference between observed and predicted model prevalence were identified as outliers and used to identify a number of sources of systematic error which were then corrected when possible. For the corrected AOH, only 1.7 % of AOH maps for birds and 2.3 % of AOH maps for mammals were flagged as outliers in terms of the difference between their observed and predicted model prevalence. In the second step we calculated point prevalence, the proportion of point localities of a species falling in pixels coded as suitable in the AOH map. We used 48,336,141 point localities for 4889 bird species and 107,061 point localities for 420 mammals. Where point prevalence exceeded model prevalence, the AOH was a better reflection of species’ distribution than random. We also found that 4689 out of 4889 (95.9 %) AOH maps for birds, and 399 out of 420 (95.0 %) AOH maps for mammals were better than random. Possible reasons for the poor performance of a small proportion of AOH maps are discussed.

scholarly journals A validation standard for Area of Habitat maps for terrestrial birds and mammals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prabhat Raj Dahal ◽  
Maria Lumbierres ◽  
Stuart H.M. Butchart ◽  
Paul F. Donald ◽  
Carlo Rondinini
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Point Prevalence ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Elevation Range ◽  
Validation Standard ◽  
Predicted Model ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

Area of Habitat (AOH) is a deductive model which maps the distribution of suitable habitat at suitable altitudes for a species inside its broad geographical range. AOH maps have been validated using presence-only data for small subsets of species for different taxonomic groups, but no standard validation method exists when absence data are not available. We develop a novel two-step validation protocol for AOH which includes first a model-based evaluation of model prevalence (i.e, the proportion of suitable habitat within a species' range), and second a validation using species point localities (presence-only) data. We applied the protocol to AOH maps of terrestrial birds and mammals. In the first step we built logistic regression models to predict expected model prevalence (the proportion of the range retained as AOH) as a function of each species' elevation range, mid-point of elevation range, number of habitats, realm and, for birds, seasonality. AOH maps with large difference between observed and predicted model prevalence were identified as outliers and used to identify a number of sources of systematic error which were then corrected when possible. For the corrected AOH, only 1.7% of AOH maps for birds and 2.3% of AOH maps for mammals were flagged as outliers in terms of the difference between their observed and predicted model prevalence. In the second step we calculated point prevalence, the proportion of point localities of a species falling in pixels coded as suitable in the AOH map. We used 48,336,141 point localities for 4889 bird species and 107,061 point localities for 420 mammals. Where point prevalence exceeded model prevalence, the AOH was a better reflection of species' distribution than random. We also found that 4689 out of 4889 (95.9%) AOH maps for birds, and 399 out of 420 (95.0%) AOH maps for mammals were better than random. Possible reasons for the poor performance of a small proportion of AOH maps are discussed.

scholarly journals Can clearcuts increase bird species richness in managed forests?

2008 ◽  
Vol 54 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 189-193
Author(s):  
M. Żmihorski
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Cumulative Number ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Managed Forest ◽  
Bird Species Richness ◽  
Forest Interior ◽  
Transect Counts ◽  
The Difference

Clearcuts are one of the results of forest management. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of clearcuts on bird communities in a managed forest in Western Poland. I applied the method of point transect counts. 20 points were located near clearcuts (less than 100 m from the nearest clearcut) and 25 points in the forest interior. In total, 36 bird species were recorded. On average, I found 9.20 bird species at points located near clearcuts and 6.72 species at points situated in the forest interior, and the difference was significant. The cumulative number of bird species for a given number of sampling points in the vicinity of clearcuts was higher than in the forest interior. The obtained results indicate that in managed, even-aged forests the generation of clearcuts can lead to an increase in local bird species richness.

scholarly journals An assessment of the distribution, population size and conservation status of the Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner Automolus rufipectus: a Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta endemic

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
ESTEBAN BOTERO-DELGADILLO ◽  
NICHOLAS BAYLY ◽  
CAMILA GÓMEZ ◽  
PAULO C. PULGARÍN-R. ◽  
CARLOS ANDRÉS PÁEZ
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Environmental Niche ◽  
Coffee Plantations ◽  
Habitat Transformation ◽  
Elevation Range ◽  
Area Of Occupancy

SummaryThe Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner Automolus rufipectus is one of 19 endemic bird species found in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) in northern Colombia but until recently it was considered a sub-species of the Ruddy Foliage-gleaner Automolus rubiginosus. Consequently, published information on its distribution and ecology is lacking, and while it is classified as near- threatened, this designation was based on limited quantitative data. To improve our knowledge of the Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner’s geographical distribution, elevation range, population density, habitat use and conservation status, we analysed both historical and recent site locality records and carried out variable distance transects within forested habitats and shade coffee plantations. We modelled the environmental niche of the species and subsequently estimated its extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, as well as population size. Our results consistently showed that the distribution of the Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner is more restricted than previously considered, both geographically and by elevation (we redefine elevation range as 600–1,875 m). This suggests that the species is more at risk of habitat transformation and combined with our estimates of population size (< 10,000 individuals), it is likely that the species will be uplisted to a higher threat category. More positively, and contrary to published accounts, we found that approximately 40% of the species’ range lies within protected areas. Nevertheless, we recommend the implementation of strategies to maintain forest cover on the western flank of the SNSM and further research to better define the species’ habitat needs and population dynamics.

scholarly journals Power line routing and configuration as major drivers of collision risk in two bustard species

Oryx ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Teresa Marques ◽  
Ricardo C. Martins ◽  
João Paulo Silva ◽  
Jorge M. Palmeirim ◽  
Francisco Moreira
Keyword(s):  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Power Line ◽  
Power Lines ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Collision Risk ◽  
Great Bustard ◽  
Line Configuration ◽  
Tetrax Tetrax

Abstract Collision with power lines is a major cause of mortality for many bird species. Understanding the biotic and abiotic factors that increase collision risk is therefore important for implementing mitigation measures to minimize mortality, such as power line rerouting or wire marking. Here, we used collision events registered during 2003–2015 along 280 km of transmission power lines in southern Portugal to analyse spatio-temporal patterns and collision risk factors in two sympatric, threatened, and collision-prone species: the great bustard Otis tarda and the little bustard Tetrax tetrax. The occurrence of collisions was not uniform across space and time, and variations could be explained by the species' ecological requirements, distribution patterns and behaviour. Although both species fly considerable distances between areas of suitable habitat, collisions were far more likely in power line sections with > 20% (for the little bustard) or > 50% (for the great bustard) of open farmland habitat in the surroundings. Power line configuration was also important: taller pylons and those with a higher number of wire levels posed a higher risk for both species. Wire marking had a small but significant effect for the little bustard, reducing collisions risk. There was, however, no similar effect for the great bustard, possibly a result of limited data. Mitigation measures should be implemented to prevent bustard collisions, including adequate route planning, ideally avoiding areas with > 20% of open habitat. Line configuration and wire marking are particularly important where such localities cannot be avoided and power lines cross areas with a high proportion of bustard habitat, including outside protected areas.

scholarly journals Asymmetric Fixed Effects Models for Panel Data

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul D Allison
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Panel Data ◽  
Opposite Direction ◽  
Difference Method ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Social Phenomena ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Fixed Effects Models ◽  
The Difference

Standard fixed effects methods presume that effects of variables are symmetric: the effect of increasing a variable is the same as the effect of decreasing that variable but in the opposite direction. This is implausible for many social phenomena. York and Light (2017) showed how to estimate asymmetric models by estimating first-difference regressions in which the difference scores for the predictors are decomposed into positive and negative changes. In this paper, I show that there are several aspects of their method that need improvement. I also develop a data generating model that justifies the first-difference method but can be applied in more general settings. In particular, it can be used to construct asymmetric logistic regression models.

scholarly journals Distribution of birds in Colombia

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danny Vélez ◽  
Edwin Tamayo ◽  
Fernando Ayerbe-Quiñones ◽  
Julián Torres ◽  
Juan Rey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Geographic Information ◽  
Huge Number ◽  
Bird Species Richness ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

1. Colombia with 1941 known recorded bird species is one of the most species rich countries in the world. Efforts are necessary to conserve, study and promote sustainable use of this important taxonomic group throughout Colombia’s vast territory. 2. In an ideal world, informed decisions that are based on sound scientific information should be likelier to have successful outcomes. Nevertheless, there are barriers that make it difficult to access and use information in a timely fashion. Those same barriers impede the study, conservation and sustainable use of bird species in Colombia. On the other hand, given that there is good documentation about the ecology of a large number of species, information about the distribution of birds can be easily incorporated into decision-making processes, once this information becomes readily available in a consumable format using Geographic Information Sciences tools. 3. In this context, the main objective of this paper is to present the first compilation of the current distribution of 1889 (97%) species of birds in Colombia, using expert criteria. The shapefiles were used to show the distribution and diversity of bird species in Colombia under both geopolitical and conservation geographic units. 4. The information provided in this paper can be used as a baseline for a huge number of initiatives that aim to strengthen conservation efforts and improve knowledge about one the most unique taxonomic groups in the country. These range from land use planning strategies at the municipal or department scale to sustainable use of bird species - such as those initiatives related to bird watching - in Colombia. This study has considered three key aspects: 1) the importance of birds for Colombia’s ecosystems, 2) the privileged place of Colombia in bird species richness and 3) the importance of data mobilisation in formats easily consumable by Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to facilitate the processes of informed decision-making. We present the first compilation - in shapefile format - for 1889 of the 1941 bird species recorded from Colombia. Using this novel collection, we showed the species richness of birds in Colombia’s 33 Departments plus its Captial District (DPs), 1122 Municipalities (MNs), 58 protected areas (PAs), 39 Regional Autonomous Corporations (the authorities responsible within their respective jurisdictions for regulating the environment and renewable natural resources in Colombia; CARs) and 916 Collectively Titled Territories (including both indigenous reservations and afro-descendant communities; CTTs). In addition, we provide a list of known bird species richness for the above geographic units found in the available literature. The information provided here can be used as a baseline for a huge number of initiatives concerning the study, conservation and sustainable use of bird species present in Colombia, providing access to key features of bird distribution that should facilitate decision-making.

scholarly journals Adherence to healthy lifestyles in the Programa Academia da Saúde

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Raquel de Deus Mendonça ◽  
Mariana Souza Lopes ◽  
Maria Cecília Ramos de Carvalho ◽  
Patrícia Pinheiro de Freitas ◽  
Aline Cristine Souza Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Healthy Lifestyles ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Drinking Habits ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Five Factors ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Belo Horizonte ◽  
Fourth Quartile ◽  
Community Trial

This study aims to measure healthy lifestyles according to the time of participation in the Programa Academia da Saúde (PAS). We used baseline data from a randomized controlled community trial with a representative sample of PAS users from Belo Horizonte, Brazil (n = 3,414). The data on healthy lifestyles collected were: daily fruit and vegetables intake (≥5 servings); physical activity engagement (≥180min/week); body mass index (18.5kg/m² ≥ BMI ≤ 24.9kg/m²), smoking and drinking habits. The time of participation in the PAS was calculated by the difference between the date of registration in the program and the date of the data collection. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between healthy lifestyles and time of participation in the PAS. Almost half of the participants (43.3%) had three healthy lifestyle factors. The prevalence of having all five factors varied according to the time of participation in the service; the lowest rates were in the first quartile (4.9%) and the highest rates in the fourth quartile (8.1%). Those who have attended the service for the longest time (fourth quartile) were more likely to have a healthy BMI (OR = 1.43; 95%CI: 1.14-1.80; p = 0.002) and to avoid smoking (OR = 1.62; 95%CI: 1.06-4.49; p = 0.01), compared to those who have attended the program for less time (first quartile). The prevalence of healthy lifestyles in PAS users was low. However, a longer permanence in the program seems to favor positive changes on BMI and on smoking habits.

scholarly journals Multi-taxa ecological responses to habitat loss and fragmentation in western Amazonia as revealed by RAPELD biodiversity surveys

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-243
Author(s):  
Gabriel M. MOULATLET ◽  
Emmanuel AMBRIZ ◽  
Jennifer GUEVARA ◽  
Karima G. LÓPEZ ◽  
Marina RODES-BLANCO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Landscape Fragmentation ◽  
Dung Beetles ◽  
Landscape Configuration ◽  
Edge Density ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Habitat Loss And Fragmentation ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

ABSTRACT Habitat loss and fragmentation caused by deforestation are important anthropogenic drivers of changes in biodiversity in the Amazon rainforest, and has reached its highest rate in recent decades. However, the magnitude and direction of the effects on species composition and distribution have yet to be fully understood. We evaluated the responses of four taxonomic groups − birds, amphibians, orchid bees, and dung beetles - to habitat loss and fragmentation at both species and assemblage level in the northern Ecuadorian Amazon. We sampled fifteen 250-m long plots in terra-firme forest remnants. We calculated one landscape fragmentation index (fragindex), which considers the proportion of continuous forest cover, edge density and isolation in the landscape, and nine landscape configuration metrics. Logistic regression models and multivariate regression trees were used to analyze species and assemblage responses. Our results revealed that over 80% of birds, amphibians or orchid-bee species, and 60% of dung beetles were negatively affected by habitat loss and fragmentation. Species composition of all taxonomic groups was significantly affected by differences in forest cover and connectivity. Less than 5% of all species were restricted to landscapes with fragindex values higher than 40%. Landscape metrics related to the shape and area of forest patches determined the magnitude and direction of the effect on species responses. Therefore, changes in the landscape configuration of Ecuadorian Amazonia should be minimized to diminish the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on species occurrence and assemblage composition.

scholarly journals Differences in Sickness Allowance Receipt between Swedish Speakers and Finnish Speakers in Finland

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 43-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaarina S. Reini ◽  
Jan Saarela
Keyword(s):  
Regression Models ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Objective Health ◽  
Language Groups ◽  
Health Measure ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Individual

Previous research has documented lower disability retirement and mortality rates of Swedish speakers as compared with Finnish speakers in Finland. This paper is the first to compare the two language groups with regard to the receipt of sickness allowance, which is an objective health measure that reflects a less severe poor health condition. Register-based data covering the years 1988-2011 are used. We estimate logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations to account for repeated observations at the individual level. We find that Swedish-speaking men have approximately 30 percent lower odds of receiving sickness allowance than Finnish-speaking men, whereas the difference in women is about 15 percent. In correspondence with previous research on all-cause mortality at working ages, we find no language-group difference in sickness allowance receipt in the socially most successful subgroup of the population.

scholarly journals Depression and Anxiety among University Students: a Comparison Between COVID-19 Pandemic Panic Period and Post-Panic Period in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gowranga Kumar Paul ◽  
Meshbahur Rahman ◽  
Shayla Naznin ◽  
Mashfiqul Haq Chowdhury ◽  
Md Jamal Uddin
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Time Period ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The University

Abstract Background: The current COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest public health concern. It harmed everyone, both physically and mentally. Because of panic situations in COVID-19 pandemic, students all over the world, including those in Bangladesh, are suffering from depression and anxiety. Considering this, we aimed to assess psycho-emotional changes of the university students through investigating their level of depression and anxiety effects during panic and post-panic period of COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.Methods: Cross-sectional online surveys were conducted among university students in Bangladesh from April to July 2020 (panic period, n=170) and then from August to November 2020 (post-panic period, n=170). The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 questionnaires were used to assess respondents' depression and anxiety levels, respectively. We used continuous scores to assess the severity of depression and anxiety symptoms. We also computed binary depression and anxiety scores. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the data. Results: The proportion of depression symptoms was 49.4% during the panic period and 52.4% after the panic period. Anxiety symptoms were experienced by 38.2% of students during the panic period, and this percentage was nearly identical in the post-panic interval. Depression levels increased in the post-panic period and urban students have significantly (P< 0.05) higher levels of depression and anxiety than their counterparts. Female students also exhibited significantly more anxious symptoms (p=0.002) than male. Depression symptoms significantly vary by family types, students place of residence whereas students age, gender, education, family head's occupation, time period and family economic condition found no significant association with the depression.Conclusions: Students during the post-panic period have a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms than during the panic period. Although the difference was small, it was still concerning for university students in Bangladesh because it interfered with their academic life.

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