Can climate data from METEOSAT improve wildlife distribution models?

Suárez‐Seoane, Susana; Osborne, Patrick E.; Rosema, A.

doi:10.1111/j.0906-7590.2004.03939.x

Cited by 26 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…2002, De Juana & García 2005). Suárez‐Seoane et al. (2004) have related Little Bustard distribution to meteorological variables, showing that the species is highly influenced by the availability of accessible water (see also Faria & Rabaça 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determining the effects of habitat management and climate on the population trends of a declining steppe bird

Delgado¹,

Morales

Traba

et al. 2009

Ibis

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The Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax is one of the most threatened steppe bird species in Europe, due mainly to agricultural intensification. Despite the relative importance of the Iberian population (approximately 50% of the global population) little is known about its dynamics and trends, especially in core distribution areas. This study evaluates the influences of meteorological factors and land management on the oscillations and medium‐term trends of two Little Bustard populations in Central Spain. During 2001–2007, surveys of breeding male and female Little Bustards were carried out in two central Spanish locations: Valdetorres, in Special Protection Area (SPA) no. 139 (1600 ha), and Campo Real, in Important Bird Area (IBA) no. 075 (1150 ha). Densities were 3.3–4.0 and 1.1–2.1 males/km2 in Campo Real, and 1.8–2.2 and 0.6–1.3 females/km2 in Valdetorres. The sex ratio was biased towards males in both cases. Both populations declined during 2001–2007, especially in Valdetorres (60%). Variation in habitat composition did not explain variation in the numbers of males. Both populations were influenced by total precipitation in the preceding October–May period. Results suggest that the Little Bustard may be sensitive to future climate trends in Europe. Finally, different simulated demographic scenarios suggest that low female survival and productivity may be the immediate cause of the decline in Little Bustard populations, which is consistent with their sensitivity to climatic conditions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determining the effects of habitat management and climate on the population trends of a declining steppe bird

Delgado¹,

Morales

Traba

et al. 2009

Ibis

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“…In addition to habitat loss and degradation caused by agricultural activities, some recent studies have highlighted the potential importance of climate, most noticeably rainfall patterns, in driving European bustard population trends (Morales et al. 2002, Suárez‐Seoane et al. 2004, Delgado et al.…”

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confidence: 99%

Between‐year variations in Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax population densities are influenced by agricultural intensification and rainfall

Delgado¹,

Moreira²

2010

Ibis

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The Little Bustard is suffering a widespread population decline mainly due to agricultural intensification. This study evaluates the effects of intensification level, habitat availability and rainfall on the population dynamics of this species. The population density of males was monitored for 7 years (2002–2008) at 184 points located within three sites with contrasting levels of agricultural intensification in southern Portugal. Densities decreased along the intensification gradient from 8.2 to 2.3 males / km2. Overall, there was an approximately 50% population decline during the period 2002–2008, driven by a decline observed in one of the less intensive sites, whereas in the other two sites densities remained fairly constant. Yearly variations in male densities were influenced by intensification level, amount of grassland habitat and rainfall patterns. Thus, agricultural intensification is having a negative effect on population densities of this threatened species, particularly through the loss of grasslands (fallow fields and pastures) suitable for displaying males. The results also suggest a positive impact of rainfall on male densities, although this is more likely in grasslands within less intensive agricultural regions of poorer soil quality, where higher breeding male densities occur. Grassland habitat quality, driven by both climate and human management, probably plays a major role in the population dynamics of this threatened steppe bird in its strongholds.

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“…Variables derived from satellite imaginary and used as surrogate of climate variables had proved to be useful when trying to improve the predictive and discrimination ability of species distribution models (Suárez‐Seoane et al ., 2004). In this case, Swainson's hawk occurrence probability was related to total rainfall previous to the wintering seasons as indicated by the inclusion of mean NDVI for spring in the final model.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Where do Swainson's hawks winter? Satellite images used to identify potential habitat

Sarasola

Bustamante

Negro

et al. 2008

Diversity and Distributions

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During recent years, predictive modelling techniques have been increasingly used to identify regional patterns of species spatial occurrence, to explore species–habitat relationships and to aid in biodiversity conservation. In the case of birds, predictive modelling has been mainly applied to the study of species with little variable interannual patterns of spatial occurrence (e.g. year‐round resident species or migratory species in their breeding grounds showing territorial behaviour). We used predictive models to analyse the factors that determine broad‐scale patterns of occurrence and abundance of wintering Swainson's hawks (Buteo swainsoni). This species has been the focus of field monitoring in its wintering ground in Argentina due to massive pesticide poisoning of thousands of individuals during the 1990s, but its unpredictable pattern of spatial distribution and the uncertainty about the current wintering area occupied by hawks led to discontinuing such field monitoring. Data on the presence and abundance of hawks were recorded in 30 × 30 km squares (n = 115) surveyed during three austral summers (2001–03). Sixteen land‐use/land‐cover, topography, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) variables were used as predictors to build generalized additive models (GAMs). Both occurrence and abundance models showed a good predictive ability. Land use, altitude, and NDVI during spring previous to the arrival of hawks to wintering areas were good predictors of the distribution of Swainson's hawks in the Argentine pampas, but only land use and NDVI were entered into the model of abundance of the species in the region. The predictive cartography developed from the models allowed us to identify the current wintering area of Swainson's hawks in the Argentine pampas. The highest occurrence probability and relative abundances for the species were predicted for a broad area of south‐eastern pampas that has been overlooked so far and where neither field research nor conservation efforts aiming to prevent massive mortalities has been established.

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Can climate data from METEOSAT improve wildlife distribution models?

Cited by 26 publications

References 30 publications

Determining the effects of habitat management and climate on the population trends of a declining steppe bird

Determining the effects of habitat management and climate on the population trends of a declining steppe bird

Between‐year variations in Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax population densities are influenced by agricultural intensification and rainfall

Where do Swainson's hawks winter? Satellite images used to identify potential habitat

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