Predicting successful replacement of forest invaders by native species using species distribution models: The case of Pittosporum undulatum and Morella faya in the Azores

Species Distribution Modeling: Comparison of Fixed and Mixed Effects Models Using INLA

“…Topographical variables were derived based on a digital elevation model (DEM) available in "Clima Insular à Escala Local" (CIELO) model ( [22,23,69,73,74,110]; see http://www.climaat.angra. uac.pt).…”

Comparison ofT-Square, Point Centered Quarter, andN-Tree Sampling Methods inPittosporum undulatumInvaded Woodlands

“…It has become dominant in moist disturbed secondary forests and some primary forests from low to middle elevations [36][37][38][39]. Perhaps the main effect of P. undulatum comes from its ability to penetrate natural ecosystems by the competitive exclusion of native species [63], regenerating readily and competitively in forest gaps [64] and having dense shade tolerant seedlings that outcompete native seedlings, which affects its distribution pattern [65].…”

“…Pittosporum undulatum Vent. (Pittosporaceae) is one of the top invasive trees in the Azores, affecting protected areas and indigenous species, and was targeted by the Azorean Regional Program for Control and Eradication of Invasive Plants in Sensitive Areas (PRECEFIAS) [36][37][38][39][40]. Accurate data about abundance and distribution of P. undulatum is needed for its control and management, including the evaluation of the energetic potential of its biomass [38,41].…”

Using modeling tools for implementing feasible land use and nature conservation governance systems in small islands – The Pico Island (Azores) case-study

“…Vegetation units (Fernandes et al, 2014) CV PV NCC Plant communities of oligotrophic lagoons 7 8 4 Coastal halophilic and chasmophytic communities of escarpments and cliffs 7 7 5 Mosaics of halophilic communities and mixed shrubland on volcanic sands 5 6 11 Mosaics of halophilic communities and mixed shrubland of Myrica faya and Juniperus brevifolia 6 7 1 2 Transition between halophilic communities and mixed shrubland of Myrica faya, Juniperus brevifolia and Erica azorica 6 7 1 2 Mixed chasmophytic and riparian vegetation 6 6 1 1 Mixed chasmophytic and riparian vegetation with sparse patches of Erica azorica 6 6 2 "Cloud Forest" 9 8 1 3 "Cloud Forest" and mixed shrubland on volcanic sands 9 8 1 3 "Cloud Forest" with important patches of Erica azorica shrubland 9 8 13 Mosaics of Erica azorica shrubland and Deschampsia foliosa grasslands 7 7 9 Mosaics of Erica azorica shrubland, Deschampsia foliosa grasslands, and other shrubs on volcanic sands 7 7 9 Mosaics of Erica azorica shrubland and Deschampsia foliosa grasslands above the timberline 7 8 6 Myrica faya woodlands 7 7 1 2 Myrica faya woodlands or mixed shrubland on volcanic sands 7 7 12 Myrica faya woodlands or mixed shrubland of Myrica faya and Juniperus brevifolia 7 7 1 2 Juniperus brevifolia woodlands 6 6 1 1 Mosaics of Juniperus brevifolia woodlands and mixed shrubland on volcanic sands 6 6 8 Mosaics of Juniperus brevifolia woodlands and Erica azorica shrubland 7 6 4 Juniperus brevifolia woodlands with important patches of Erica azorica shrubland 7 6 9 Mosaics of Erica azorica shrubland and Deschampsia foliosa grasslands 9 9 11 Mire communities and/or Juniperus brevifolia woodlands 10 10 15 Mire communities and/or mosaics of Juniperus brevifolia woodlands and mixed shrubland on volcanic sands 10 10 15 Deschampsia foliosa grasslands above the timberline 8 8 4 Deschampsia foliosa grasslands above the timberline with vestigial patches of Erica azorica shrubland 8 8 4 "Laurifolia" hydrophil forests 7 7 1 2 Mosaics of "Laurifolia" hydrophilic forests and mixed shrubland on volcanic sands 7 7 12 "Laurifolia" hydrophilic forests with important patches of Erica azorica shrubland 8 7 10 "Laurifolia" ultra-hydrophilic forests 7 7 1 2 Mosaics of "Laurifolia" ultra-hydrophilic forests and mixed shrubland on volcanic sands 7 7 12 "Laurifolia" ultra-hydrophilic forests with important patches of Erica azorica shrubland 8 7 9 "Laurifolia" mesic forests 7 7 1 2 Mosaics of "Laurifolia" mesic forests and mixed shrubland on volcanic sands 7 7 12 "Laurifolia" mesic forests with important patches of Erica azorica shrubland restoring areas with potential conservation interest (Lagabrielle et al, 2011), such as the invaded areas that may be recovered into natural M. faya forest (Costa et al, 2012). When considering other typologies of reference vegetation communities it can be observed that many of them are not included in the protected area but are partially covered by the best solution given by the model.…”