Species Distribution Models for Invasive Species and Natural Resource Managment
I recently competed my Masters of Natural Resources through Oregon State University. As part of this program I was required to compete a capstone project. My project was titled Invasive Species in Riparian Habitats of Washington: Using Species Distribution Models to Guide Monitoring Efforts. This project focused on how species distribution models could be utilized to narrow down invasive species monitoring to better utilized limited resources for species that impact riparian habitats. I wanted to introduce this project as I will be writing a post in the future explaining the process in which I utilized to create the models.
What are Species Distribution models?
Species distribution modeling (SDM) can be used to identify high priority locations for monitoring and identify potential locations of new infestations. Species distribution modeling methods can be used to visualize a distribution where a species may occur. The generated models can be mapped to visually represent the fundamental niche of a species, essentially where a species could occur. This is separate from the realized niche, where a species currently occurs. SDM uses environmental, and species occurrence data to extrapolate the distribution of a species using statistical models. SDM can be used for understanding invasive species and their potential establishment zones.
When I first discovered this topic I choose to read the "Mapping Species Distributions (Spatial Inference and Prediction)" by Janet Franklin. The book goes in to detail how SDM are used and the different techniques for creating them then. This book helped me to understand the basics of species distribution modeling and gave me a great starting resource for my research. If this is a topic that interests you then I highly recommend reading this book.
Invasive Species in Riparian Habitats of Washington: Using Species Distribution Models to Guide Monitoring Effort
My project was "Invasive Species in Riparian Habitats of Washington: Using Species Distribution Models to Guide Monitoring Efforts" focused on creating these species distribution models in the state of Washington. The entire paper can be downloaded from the Oregon State University's Scholars Archive. Below is the associated abstract for the project.
Abstract
Riparian ecosystems provide critical habitat for a broad diversity of aquatic and terrestrial species. However, due to their connectivity along river corridors, and the tendency for people to build roads, infrastructure, and other settlements next to rivers, riparian ecosystems are vulnerable to colonization by invasive plant and animal species. Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) is vital for monitoring and managing novel invasions as well as population expansions of known invasive species. Species distribution modeling (SDM) can be used to identify high priority locations for monitoring to catch early colonization by invasive species when there is still time for complete eradication. This case study targeted 8 invasive plant and animal species of concern to forest managers that are associated with riparian habitats. A literature review was completed to understand the biological and ecological factors that influence potential species distributions. Species distribution models were created for the 8 plant and animal species using Maxent program and bioclimatic variables. Generally, model results show high predicted suitability in the Puget Sound for all 8 species, with lower predicted suitability in the northeastern portion of the state. This paper demonstrates how SDM can be used to identify potential species distributions of invasive species thereby allowing forest managers to identify new infestations and plan cost-effective and efficient early detection monitoring efforts. With swift eradication efforts managers can minimize the impact that new infestations of invasive species have on riparian forests.