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Rodriguez‐Cordero AL, Balaguera‐Reina SA, Gross BA, Munn M, Densmore LD. Assessing abundance-suitability models to prioritize conservation areas for the dwarf caimans in South America. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70235. [PMID: 39219570 PMCID: PMC11362219 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70235] [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: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Species-environment relationships have been extensively explored through species distribution models (SDM) and species abundance models (SAM), which have become key components to understand the spatial ecology and population dynamics directed at biodiversity conservation. Nonetheless, within the internal structure of species' ranges, habitat suitability and species abundance do not always show similar patterns, and using information derived from either SDM or SAM could be incomplete and mislead conservation efforts. We gauged support for the abundance-suitability relationship and used the combined information to prioritize the conservation of South American dwarf caimans (Paleosuchus palpebrosus and P. trigonatus). We used 7 environmental predictor sets (surface water, human impact, topography, precipitation, temperature, dynamic habitat indices, soil temperature), 2 regressions methods (Generalized Linear Models-GLM, Generalized Additive Models-GAM), and 4 parametric distributions (Binomial, Poisson, Negative binomial, Gamma) to develop distribution and abundance models. We used the best predictive models to define four categories (low, medium, high, very high) to plan species conservation. The best distribution and abundance models for both Paleosuchus species included a combination of all predictor sets, except for the best abundance model for P. trigonatus which incorporated only temperature, precipitation, surface water, human impact, and topography. We found non-consistent and low explanatory power of environmental suitability to predict abundance which aligns with previous studies relating SDM-SAM. We extracted the most relevant information from each optimal SDM and SAM and created a consensus model (2,790,583 km2) that we categorized as low (39.6%), medium (42.7%), high (14.9%), and very high (2.8%) conservation priorities. We identified 279,338 km2 where conservation must be critically prioritized and only 29% of these areas are under protection. We concluded that optimal models from correlative methods can be used to provide a systematic prioritization scheme to promote conservation and as surrogates to generate insights for quantifying ecological patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Brandon A. Gross
- Department of Biological SciencesTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTexasUSA
| | - Margaret Munn
- Department of Biological SciencesTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTexasUSA
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Charre‐Medellín JF, Ferrer‐Ferrando D, Monterrubio‐Rico TC, Fernández‐López J, Acevedo P. Using species distribution modeling to generate relative abundance information in socio-politically unstable territories: Conservation of Felidae in the central-western region of Mexico. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10534. [PMID: 37727774 PMCID: PMC10505758 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The distribution range and population abundance of species provide fundamental information on the species-habitat relationship required for management and conservation. Abundance inherently provides more information about the ecology of species than do occurrence data. However, information on abundance is scarce for most species, mainly at large spatial scales. The objective of this work was, therefore, to provide information regarding the population status of six wild felids inhabiting territories in Mexico that are inaccessible or politically unstable. This was done using species distribution models derived from occurrence data. We used distribution data at a continental scale for the wild felids inhabiting Mexico: jaguar (Panthera onca), bobcat (Lynx rufus), ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), cougar (Puma concolor), margay (Leopardus wiedii), and jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) to predict environmental suitability (estimated by both Maxent and the distance to niche centroid, DNC). Suitability was then examined by relating to a capture rate-based index, in a well-monitored area in central western Mexico in order to assess their performance as proxies of relative abundance. Our results indicate that the environmental suitability patterns predicted by both algorithms were comparable. However, the strength of the relationship between the suitability and relative abundance of local populations differed across species and between algorithms, with the bobcat and DNC, respectively, having the best fit, although the relationship was not consistent in all the models. This paper presents the potential of implementing species distribution models in order to predict the relative abundance of wild felids in Mexico and offers guidance for the proper interpretation of the relationship between suitability and population abundance. The results obtained provide a robust information base on which to outline specific conservation actions and on which to examine the potential status of endangered species inhabiting remote or politically unstable territories in which on-field monitoring programs are not feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan F. Charre‐Medellín
- National School of Higher StudiesUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoMoreliaMexico
- Laboratory of Priority Terrestrial Vertebrates, Faculty of BiologyUniversidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de HidalgoMoreliaMexico
| | - David Ferrer‐Ferrando
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC‐UCLM‐JCCMCiudad RealSpain
| | - Tiberio C. Monterrubio‐Rico
- Laboratory of Priority Terrestrial Vertebrates, Faculty of BiologyUniversidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de HidalgoMoreliaMexico
| | | | - Pelayo Acevedo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC‐UCLM‐JCCMCiudad RealSpain
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3
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Kim MJ, Bak S, Jung C. Modeling abundance and risk impact of Vespa velutina nigrithorax (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in Korea: application of a species abundance model. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13616. [PMID: 37604950 PMCID: PMC10442361 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40016-9] [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: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The Asian yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina nigrithorax, is native to Southeast Asia. However, it has invaded many countries in temperate regions, causing serious threats to honeybees and human health. With a growing demand for estimating the potential distribution of this species, multiple studies have resorted to occurrence-based models. However, they are less informative for predicting local abundance patterns associated with the species' impact. Thus, we aimed to develop an abundance-based distribution model for V. v. nigrithorax in Korea to support the forecast of its impact and associated management strategies. The abundance data of V. v. nigrithorax were collected from 254 sites for 4 years covering the country and used to develop a model with bioclimatic and land composition variables. Along with the abundance model, the classical occurrence model was tested to determine whether it could provide a reasonable prediction on the estimation of local abundance. As a result, the abundance model provided higher discriminative power and accuracy than the occurrence model to evaluate the impacts caused by V. v. nigrithorax. On the other hand, the occurrence model was not able to discriminate abundance in the areas occupied by V. v. nigrithorax, indicating an unclear occurrence-abundance relationship or oversimplification of the estimated niche created by the occurrence model. Based on the final abundance model, risk indices for human health and honeybee losses were suggested. These results could help to provide support for risk management of V. v. nigrithorax in Korea and to give biological information to other countries where this species has already become established or which it is likely to invade in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Jung Kim
- Forest Entomology and Pathology Division, National Institute of Forest Science, Seoul, 02455, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongbin Bak
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, 36729, Republic of Korea
| | - Chuleui Jung
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, 36729, Republic of Korea.
- Agricultural Science and Technology Research Institute, Andong National University, Andong, 36729, Republic of Korea.
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4
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Evans LC, Melero Y, Schmucki R, Boersch-Supan PH, Brotons L, Fontaine C, Jiguet F, Kuussaari M, Massimino D, Robinson RA, Roy DB, Schweiger O, Settele J, Stefanescu C, van Turnhout CAM, Oliver TH. Mechanisms underpinning community stability along a latitudinal gradient: Insights from a niche-based approach. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:3271-3284. [PMID: 36924241 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
At large scales, the mechanisms underpinning stability in natural communities may vary in importance due to changes in species composition, mean abundance, and species richness. Here we link species characteristics (niche positions) and community characteristics (richness and abundance) to evaluate the importance of stability mechanisms in 156 butterfly communities monitored across three European countries and spanning five bioclimatic regions. We construct niche-based hierarchical structural Bayesian models to explain first differences in abundance, population stability, and species richness between the countries, and then explore how these factors impact community stability both directly and indirectly (via synchrony and population stability). Species richness was partially explained by the position of a site relative to the niches of the species pool, and species near the centre of their niche had higher average population stability. The differences in mean abundance, population stability, and species richness then influenced how much variation in community stability they explained across the countries. We found, using variance partitioning, that community stability in Finnish communities was most influenced by community abundance, whereas this aspect was unimportant in Spain with species synchrony explaining most variation; the UK was somewhat intermediate with both factors explaining variation. Across all countries, the diversity-stability relationship was indirect with species richness reducing synchrony which increased community stability, with no direct effects of species richness. Our results suggest that in natural communities, biogeographical variation observed in key drivers of stability, such as population abundance and species richness, leads to community stability being limited by different factors and that this can partially be explained due to the niche characteristics of the European butterfly assemblage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Christopher Evans
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 217, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AH, UK
| | - Yolanda Melero
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 217, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AH, UK
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Reto Schmucki
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Biodiversity, Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford, OX10 8BB, UK
| | - Philipp H Boersch-Supan
- British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, IP24 2PU, UK
- Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
| | - Lluís Brotons
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
- InForest Jru (CTFC-CREAF), Solsona, 25280, Spain
- CSIC, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain
| | - Colin Fontaine
- Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation, CESCO, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle - CNRS - Sorbonne Université, UMR7204, CP135, 43 Rue Buffon, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Jiguet
- Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation, CESCO, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle - CNRS - Sorbonne Université, UMR7204, CP135, 43 Rue Buffon, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Mikko Kuussaari
- Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Biodiversity Centre, Latokartanonkaari 11, FI-00790, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dario Massimino
- British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, IP24 2PU, UK
| | | | - David B Roy
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Biodiversity, Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford, OX10 8BB, UK
| | - Oliver Schweiger
- Department of Community Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, Halle, Germany
- iDiv, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research, Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Josef Settele
- iDiv, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research, Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Conservation Biology & Social-Ecological Systems, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, Halle, Germany
| | - Constanti Stefanescu
- Natural Sciences Museum of Granollers, Francesc Macià, 51, 08402, Granollers, Spain
| | - Chris A M van Turnhout
- Sovon Dutch Centre for Field Ornithology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Animal Ecology & Ecophysiology, Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES), Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tom Henry Oliver
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 217, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AH, UK
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Maciel EA, Guilherme FA. Species density per grid cell no longer predicts the local abundance of woody plants. ECOL INFORM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2022.101866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Prior CJ, Busch JW. Selfing rate variation within species is unrelated to life-history traits or geographic range position. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2021; 108:2294-2308. [PMID: 34632564 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE In plants, populations and species vary widely along the continuum from outcrossing to selfing. Life-history traits and ecological circumstances influence among-species variation in selfing rates, but their general role in explaining intraspecific variation is unknown. Using a database of plant species, we test whether life-history traits, geographic range position, or abundance predict selfing rate variation among populations. METHODS We identified species where selfing rates were estimated in at least three populations at known locations. Two key life-history traits (generation time and growth form) were used to predict within-species selfing rate variation. Populations sampled within a species' native range were assessed for proximity to the nearest edge and abundance. Finally, we conducted linear and segmented regressions to determine functional relationships between selfing rate and geographic range position within species. RESULTS Selfing rates for woody species varied less than for herbs, which is explained by the lower average selfing rate of woody species. Relationships between selfing and peripherality or abundance significantly varied among species in their direction and magnitude. However, there was no general pattern of increased selfing toward range edges. A power analysis shows that tests of this hypothesis require studying many (i.e., 40+) populations. CONCLUSIONS Intraspecific variation in plant mating systems is often substantial yet remains difficult to explain. Beyond sampling more populations, future tests of biogeographic hypotheses will benefit from phylogeographic information concerning specific range edges, the study of traits influencing mating system (e.g., herkogamy), and measures of abundance at local scales (e.g., population density).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly J Prior
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Jeremiah W Busch
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
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8
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Altamiranda-Saavedra M, Osorio-Olvera L, Yáñez-Arenas C, Marín-Ortiz JC, Parra-Henao G. Geographic abundance patterns explained by niche centrality hypothesis in two Chagas disease vectors in Latin America. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241710. [PMID: 33147272 PMCID: PMC7641389 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecoepidemiological scenarios for Chagas disease transmission are complex, so vector control measures to decrease human–vector contact and prevent infection transmission are difficult to implement in all geographic contexts. This study assessed the geographic abundance patterns of two vector species of Chagas disease: Triatoma maculata (Erichson, 1848) and Rhodnius pallescens (Barber, 1932) in Latin America. We modeled their potential distribution using the maximum entropy algorithm implemented in Maxent and calculated distances to their niche centroid by fitting a minimum-volume ellipsoid. In addition, to determine which method would accurately explain geographic abundance patterns, we compared the correlation between population abundance and the distance to the ecological niche centroid (DNC) and between population abundance and Maxent environmental suitability. The potential distribution estimated for T. maculata showed that environmental suitability covers a large area, from Panama to Northern Brazil. R. pallescens showed a more restricted potential distribution, with environmental suitability covering mostly the coastal zone of Costa Rica and some areas in Nicaragua, Honduras, Belize and the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, northern Colombia, Acre, and Rondônia states in Brazil, as well as a small region of the western Brazilian Amazon. We found a negative slope in the relationship between population abundance and the DNC in both species. R. pallecens has a more extensive potential latitudinal range than previously reported, and the distribution model for T. maculata corroborates previous studies. In addition, population abundance increases according to the niche centroid proximity, indicating that population abundance is limited by the set of scenopoetic variables at coarser scales (non-interactive variables) used to determine the ecological niche. These findings might be used by public health agencies in Latin America to implement actions and support programs for disease prevention and vector control, identifying areas in which to expand entomological surveillance and maintain chemical control, in order to decrease human–vector contact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariano Altamiranda-Saavedra
- Centro de Investigación en Salud para el Trópico (CIST), Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Santa Marta, Colombia
- Politécnico Colombiano Jaime Isaza Cadavid, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
- * E-mail:
| | - Luis Osorio-Olvera
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Carlos Yáñez-Arenas
- Laboratorio de Ecología Geográfica, Unidad de Conservación de la Biodiversidad, UMDI-Sisal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Juan Carlos Marín-Ortiz
- Departamento de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Gabriel Parra-Henao
- Centro de Investigación en Salud para el Trópico (CIST), Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Santa Marta, Colombia
- National Health Institute (Instituto Nacional de Salud), Bogotá, Colombia
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9
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Hernández-Lambraño RE, Carbonell R, Sánchez-Agudo JÁ. Making the most of scarce data: Mapping distribution range and variation in population abundance of a threatened narrow-range endemic plant. J Nat Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2020.125889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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10
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Improving species distribution model predictive accuracy using species abundance: Application with boosted regression trees. Ecol Modell 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2020.109202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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11
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Uzqueda A, Burnett S, Bertola LV, Hoskin CJ. Quantifying range decline and remaining populations of the large marsupial carnivore of Australia’s tropical rainforest. J Mammal 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Large predators are particularly susceptible to population declines due to large area requirements, low population density, and conflict with humans. Their low density and secretive habits also make it difficult to know the spatial extent, size, and connectivity of populations; declines hence can go unnoticed. Here, we quantified decline in a large marsupial carnivore, the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus gracilis), endemic to the Wet Tropics rainforest of northeast Australia. We compiled a large database of occurrence records and used species distributional modeling to estimate the distribution in four time periods (Pre-1956, 1956–1975, 1976–1995, 1996–2016) using climate layers and three human-use variables. The most supported variables in the distribution models were climatic, with highly suitable quoll habitat having relatively high precipitation, low temperatures, and a narrow annual range in temperature. Land-use type and road density also influenced quoll distribution in some time periods. The modeling revealed a significant decline in the distribution of D. m. gracilis over the last century, with contraction away from peripheral areas and from large areas of the Atherton Tablelands in the center of the distribution. Tests of the change in patch availability for populations of 20, 50, and 100 individuals revealed a substantial (17–32%) decline in available habitat for all population sizes, with a particular decline (31–40%) in core habitat (i.e., excluding edges). Six remaining populations were defined. Extrapolating capture–recapture density estimates derived from two populations in 2017 suggests these populations are small and range from about 10 to 160 individuals. Our total population estimate sums to 424 individuals, but we outline why this estimate is positively skewed and that the actual population size may be < 300 individuals. Continued decline and apparent absence in areas of highly suitable habitat suggests some threats are not being captured in our models. From our results, we provide management and research recommendations for this enigmatic predator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Uzqueda
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Scott Burnett
- School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Lorenzo V Bertola
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Conrad J Hoskin
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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12
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Osorio-Olvera L, Yañez-Arenas C, Martínez-Meyer E, Peterson AT. Relationships between population densities and niche-centroid distances in North American birds. Ecol Lett 2020; 23:555-564. [PMID: 31944513 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Correlational ecological niche models have seen intensive use and exploration as a means of estimating the limits of actual and potential geographic distributions of species, yet their application to explaining geographic abundance patterns has been debated. We developed a detailed test of this latter possibility based on the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Correlations between abundances and niche-centroid distances were mostly negative, as per expectations of niche theory and the abundant niche-centre relationship. The negative relationships were not distributed randomly among species: terrestrial, non-migratory, small-bodied, small-niche-breadth and restricted-range species had the strongest negative associations. Distances to niche centroids as estimated from correlational analyses of presence-only data thus offer a unique means by which to infer geographic abundance patterns, which otherwise are enormously difficult to characterise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Osorio-Olvera
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, 04510, Mexico.,Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, Mexico
| | - Carlos Yañez-Arenas
- Laboratorio de Ecología Geográfica, Unidad de Biología de la Conservación, Parque Científico Tecnológico de Yucatán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Mérida, 97302, Merida, Mexico
| | - Enrique Martínez-Meyer
- Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, 04510, Mexico.,Centro del Cambio Global y la Sustentabilidad, A.C, Villahermosa, Mexico, 86080, Mexico
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13
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Monk J, Barrett NS, Peel D, Lawrence E, Hill NA, Lucieer V, Hayes KR. An evaluation of the error and uncertainty in epibenthos cover estimates from AUV images collected with an efficient, spatially-balanced design. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203827. [PMID: 30226871 PMCID: PMC6143229 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficient monitoring of organisms is at the foundation of protected area and biodiversity management. Such monitoring programs are based on a systematically selected set of survey locations that, while able to track trends at those locations through time, lack inference for the overall region being "monitored". Advances in spatially-balanced sampling approaches offer alternatives but remain largely untested in marine ecosystems. This study evaluated the merit of using a two-stage, spatially-balanced survey framework, in conjunction with generalized additive models, to estimate epifauna cover at a reef-wide scale for mesophotic reefs within a large, cross-shelf marine park. Imagery acquired by an autonomous underwater vehicle was classified using a hierarchical scheme developed under the Collaborative and Automated Tools for Analysis of Marine Imagery (CATAMI). At a realistic image subsampling intensity, the two-stage, spatially-balanced framework provided accurate and precise estimates of reef-wide cover for a select number of epifaunal classes at the coarsest CATAMI levels, in particular bryozoan and porifera classes. However, at finer hierarchical levels, accuracy and/or precision of cover estimates declined, primarily because of the natural rarity of even the most common of these classes/morphospecies. Ranked predictor importance suggested that bathymetry, backscatter and derivative terrain variables calculated at their smallest analysis window scales (i.e. 81 m2) were generally the most important variables in the modeling of reef-wide cover. This study makes an important step in identifying the constraints and limitations that can be identified through a robust statistical approach to design and analysis. The two-stage, spatially-balanced framework has great potential for effective quantification of epifaunal cover in cross-shelf mesophotic reefs. However, greater image subsampling intensity than traditionally applied is required to ensure adequate observations for finer-level CATAMI classes and associated morphospecies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquomo Monk
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Neville S. Barrett
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - David Peel
- Data61, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Emma Lawrence
- Data61, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Dutton Park, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicole A. Hill
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Vanessa Lucieer
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Keith R. Hayes
- Data61, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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Martínez-Gutiérrez PG, Martínez-Meyer E, Palomares F, Fernández N. Niche centrality and human influence predict rangewide variation in population abundance of a widespread mammal: The collared peccary (Pecari tajacu). DIVERS DISTRIB 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - E. Martínez-Meyer
- Department of Zoology; Instituto de Biología; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Mexico City Mexico
| | - F. Palomares
- Department of Conservation Biology; Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC); Seville Spain
| | - N. Fernández
- Department of Conservation Biology; Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC); Seville Spain
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig; Leipzig Germany
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15
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Carrascal LM, Moreno ÁC, Delgado A, Suárez V, Trujillo D. Habitat suitability-density relationship in an endangered woodland species: the case of the Blue Chaffinch ( Fringilla polatzeki). PeerJ 2017; 5:e3771. [PMID: 28924498 PMCID: PMC5600174 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding constraints to the distribution of threatened species may help to ascertain whether there are other suitable sectors for reducing the risks associated with species that are recorded in only one protected locality, and to inform about the suitability of other areas for reintroduction or translocation programs. METHODS We studied the Gran Canaria blue chaffinch (Fringilla polatzeki), a habitat specialist endemic of the Canary Islands restricted to the pine forest of Inagua, the only area where the species has been naturally present as a regular breeder in the last 25 years. A suitability distribution model using occurrences with demographic relevance (i.e., nest locations of successful breeding attempts analysed using boosted classification trees) was built considering orographic, climatic and habitat structure predictors. By means of a standardized survey program we monitored the yearly abundance of the species in 100 sectors since the declaration of Inagua as a Strict Nature Reserve in 1994. RESULTS The variables with the highest relative importance in blue chaffinch habitat preferences were pine height, tree cover, altitude, and rainfall during the driest trimester (July-September). The observed local abundance of the blue chaffinch in Inagua (survey data) was significantly correlated with habitat suitability derived from modelling the location of successful nesting attempts (using linear and quantile regressions). The outcomes of the habitat suitability model were used to quantify the suitability of other natural, historic, pine forests of Gran Canaria. Tamadaba is the forest with most suitable woodland patches for the species. We estimated a population size of 195-430 blue chaffinches in Inagua since 2011 (95% CI), the smallest population size of a woodland passerine in the Western Palearctic. DISCUSSION Habitat suitability obtained from modelling the location of successful breeding attempts is a good surrogate of the observed local abundance during the reproductive season. The outcomes of these models can be used for the identification of potential areas for the reintroduction of the species in other suitable pine forests and to inform forest management practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M Carrascal
- Department of Biogeography & Global Change, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángel C Moreno
- Viceconsejería de Medio Ambiente, Gobierno de Canarias, Dirección General de Protección de la Naturaleza, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | | | - Víctor Suárez
- Wildlife Freelance, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
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Acevedo P, Ferreres J, Escudero MA, Jimenez J, Boadella M, Marco J. Population dynamics affect the capacity of species distribution models to predict species abundance on a local scale. DIVERS DISTRIB 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Pelayo Acevedo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC); UCLM-CSIC-JCCM; Ciudad Real Spain
| | | | | | - Jose Jimenez
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC); UCLM-CSIC-JCCM; Ciudad Real Spain
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Understanding transmissibility patterns of Chagas disease through complex vector–host networks. Parasitology 2017; 144:760-772. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016002468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
SUMMARYChagas disease is one of the most important vector-borne zoonotic diseases in Latin America. Control strategies could be improved if transmissibility patterns of its aetiologic agent, Trypanosoma cruzi, were better understood. To understand transmissibility patterns of Chagas disease in Mexico, we inferred potential vectors and hosts of T. cruzi from geographic distributions of nine species of Triatominae and 396 wild mammal species, respectively. The most probable vectors and hosts of T. cruzi were represented in a Complex Inference Network, from which we formulated a predictive model and several associated hypotheses about the ecological epidemiology of Chagas disease. We compiled a list of confirmed mammal hosts to test our hypotheses. Our tests allowed us to predict the most important potential hosts of T. cruzi and to validate the model showing that the confirmed hosts were those predicted to be the most important hosts. We were also able to predict differences in the transmissibility of T. cruzi among triatomine species from spatial data. We hope our findings help drive efforts for future experimental studies.
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Osorio-Olvera LA, Falconi M, Soberón J. Sobre la relación entre idoneidad del hábitat y la abundancia poblacional bajo diferentes escenarios de dispersión. REV MEX BIODIVERS 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rmb.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Impacts of Species Misidentification on Species Distribution Modeling with Presence-Only Data. ISPRS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEO-INFORMATION 2015. [DOI: 10.3390/ijgi4042496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Carrascal LM, Aragón P, Palomino D, Lobo JM. Predicting regional densities from bird occurrence data: validation and effects of species traits in a Macaronesian Island. DIVERS DISTRIB 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Luis M. Carrascal
- Department of Biogeography and Global Change; Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales; CSIC. C/ José Gutiérrez Abascal 2 28006 Madrid Spain
| | - Pedro Aragón
- Department of Biogeography and Global Change; Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales; CSIC. C/ José Gutiérrez Abascal 2 28006 Madrid Spain
| | - David Palomino
- Wildlife Consultor; C/ Candanchú 18 28440 Guadarrama Spain
| | - Jorge M. Lobo
- Department of Biogeography and Global Change; Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales; CSIC. C/ José Gutiérrez Abascal 2 28006 Madrid Spain
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Muñoz AR, Jiménez-Valverde A, Márquez AL, Moleón M, Real R. Environmental favourability as a cost-efficient tool to estimate carrying capacity. DIVERS DISTRIB 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio-Román Muñoz
- Biogeography, Diversity and Conservation Research Team; Department of Animal Biology; Faculty of Sciences; Universidad de Málaga; E-29071 Malaga Spain
| | - Alberto Jiménez-Valverde
- Department of Biogeography and Global Change; Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Madrid (CSIC); E-28006 Madrid Spain
- Grupo de Investigación de Biología del Suelo y de los Ecosistemas Subterráneos; Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida; Universidad de Alcalá; A.P. 20 Campus Universitario E-28805 Alcalá de Henares Madrid Spain
| | - Ana Luz Márquez
- Biogeography, Diversity and Conservation Research Team; Department of Animal Biology; Faculty of Sciences; Universidad de Málaga; E-29071 Malaga Spain
| | - Marcos Moleón
- Centre for African Ecology; School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences; University of the Witwatersrand; Wits 2050 Johannesburg South Africa
| | - Raimundo Real
- Biogeography, Diversity and Conservation Research Team; Department of Animal Biology; Faculty of Sciences; Universidad de Málaga; E-29071 Malaga Spain
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Purse BV, Golding N. Tracking the distribution and impacts of diseases with biological records and distribution modelling. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bethan V. Purse
- NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology; Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford Wallingford Oxfordshire OX10 8BB UK
| | - Nick Golding
- Spatial Ecology and Epidemiology Group; Department of Zoology; University of Oxford; Oxford Oxfordshire OX1 3PS UK
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