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Modeling spatial distribution of European badger in arid landscapes: an ecosystem functioning approach

Landscape Ecology volume 29, pages 843–855 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

Understanding the factors determining the spatial distribution of species is a major challenge in ecology and conservation. This study tests the use of ecosystem functioning variables, derived from satellite imagery data, to explore their potential use in modeling the distribution of the European badger in Mediterranean arid environments. We found that the performance of distribution models was enhanced by the inclusion of variables derived from the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), such as mean EVI (a proxy for primary production), the coefficient of variation of mean EVI (an indicator of seasonality), and the standard deviation of mean EVI (representing spatial heterogeneity of primary production). We also found that distributions predicted by remote sensing data were consistent with the ecological preferences of badger in those environments, which may be explained by the link between EVI-derived variables and the spatial and temporal variability of food resource availability. In conclusion, we suggest the incorporation of variables associated with ecosystem function into species modeling exercises as a useful tool for improving decision-making related to wildlife conservation and management.

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Acknowledgments

J.R-M received funding from the Centro Andaluz para la Evaluación y Seguimiento del Cambio Global (CAESCG). The Oklahoma Biological Survey provided support for AJC. Funding was also received from the Andalusian Government (Projects GLOCHARID and SEGALERT P09–RNM-5048), the ERDF, andthe Ministry of Science and Innovation (Project CGL2010-22314, subprogram BOS, National Plant I + D + I 2010).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology and Geology, Andalusian Center for the Assessment and Monitoring of Global Change (CAESCG), University of Almería, 04120, Almería, Spain

    Juan M. Requena-Mullor, Enrique López, Antonio J. Castro, Javier Cabello & Hermelindo Castro

  2. Department of Biology and Geology, University of Almería, La Cañada de San Urbano, 04120, Almería, Spain

    Enrique López, Javier Cabello & Hermelindo Castro

  3. Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA

    Antonio J. Castro

  4. Biodiversity and Conservation Area, College of Experimental Science and Technology, University Rey Juan Carlos, Department 1, Office 216, C/Tulipán s/n, 28933, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain

    Emilio Virgós

  5. Society for the Study and Recovery of the Almería′s Biodiversity (SERBAL), C/Baqueira Beret 2, 04720, Aguadulce, Almería, Spain

    Emilio González-Miras

Authors
  1. Juan M. Requena-Mullor
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  2. Enrique López
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  3. Antonio J. Castro
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  4. Javier Cabello
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  5. Emilio Virgós
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Correspondence to Juan M. Requena-Mullor.

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Requena-Mullor, J.M., López, E., Castro, A.J. et al. Modeling spatial distribution of European badger in arid landscapes: an ecosystem functioning approach. Landscape Ecol 29, 843–855 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-014-0020-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-014-0020-4

Keywords

  • Ecological niche modeling
  • MaxEnt
  • Remote sensing
  • EVI
  • Land use-land cover
  • Mediterranean ecosystems
  • Spain
  • Meles meles