Using ecological niche modeling to determine avian richness hotspots

Mirzaei, R.; Hemami, M.R.; Esmaili Sari, A.; Rezaei, H.R.; Peterson, A.T.

doi:10.22034/gjesm.2017.03.02.002

Document Type : ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Authors

¹ Department of the Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran

² Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran

³ Department of the Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor, Iran

⁴ Department of Environmental Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran

⁵ Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA

https://doi.org/10.22034/gjesm.2017.03.02.002

Abstract

Understanding distributions of wildlife species is a key step towards identifying biodiversity hotspots and designing effective conservation strategies. In this paper, the spatial pattern of diversity of birds in Golestan Province, Iran was estimated. Ecological niche modeling was used to determine distributions of 144 bird species across the province using a maximum entropy algorithm. Richness maps across all birds, and separately for rare and threatened species, were prepared as approximations to hotspots. Results showed close similarity between hotspots for all birds and those for rare birds; hotspots were concentrated in the southern and especially the southwestern parts of the province. Hotspots for threatened birds tended more to the central and especially the western parts of the province, which include coastal habitats. Based on three criteria, it is clear that the western part is the most important area of the province in terms of bird Faunas. Despite some shortcomings, hotspot analysis for birds could be applied to guide conservation efforts and provide useful tool towards efficient conservation action.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

Distributions of 144 bird species were determined using ecological niche modeling
Birds hotspots were prepared using richness, rarity, and endangerment criteria
Western part of the study area is the most important area of the province in terms of bird faunas

Keywords

Main Subjects

Environmental monitoring and statement

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Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management

Using ecological niche modeling to determine avian richness hotspots

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Volume 3, Issue 2 - Serial Number 10
April 2017
Pages 131-142

Using ecological niche modeling to determine avian richness hotspots

References

References

Letters to Editor

Send comment about this article

Volume 3, Issue 2 - Serial Number 10April 2017Pages 131-142

Volume 3, Issue 2 - Serial Number 10
April 2017
Pages 131-142