Open AccessUsing Ecological Niche Modeling for Biodiversity Conservation Guidance in the Western Podillya (Ukraine): Reptiles
Author(s) -
Volodymyr Tytar,
Любов Юліанівна Соболенко,
Oksaekrasova,
С. В. Межжерин
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
vestnik zoologii
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.219
H-Index - 11
eISSN - 2073-2333
pISSN - 0084-5604
DOI - 10.1515/vzoo-2015-0065
Subject(s) - ecological niche , biodiversity , environmental niche modelling , habitat , niche , ecology , geography , species richness , distribution (mathematics) , biodiversity hotspot , biology , mathematical analysis , mathematics
Using Ecological Niche Modeling for Biodiversity Conservation Guidance in the Western Podillya (Ukraine): Reptiles. Tytar, V., Sobolenko, L., Nekrasova, O. Mezhzherin, S. - Maximum entropy niche modeling was employed as a tool to assess potential habitat suitability for 10 reptile species and to map their potential distribution in the Western Podillya (Ukraine). We used climate, topography and human impact (assessed by the Human Footprint) as predictor variables. “Isothermality”, “temperature seasonality” and the “mean temperature of coldest month” were three most important factors in predicting habitat suitability and distribution. A profound contribution to the modeling has been displayed by the Human Footprint, meaning that human infrastructure may benefit reptile species. Areas have been distinguished that in the first place should be of interest to biodiversity conservationists targeting reptiles and maps summarizing predicted habitat suitability and species richness were produced for guiding conservation efforts