Does a correlation exist between environmental suitability models and plant population parameters? An experimental approach to measure the influence of disturbances and environmental changes.

摘要: Abstract Due to increasing human pressures, there is a need understand how environmental and anthropogenic disturbances could affect the conservation status of endangered plant species. When information on distribution or population parameters poor, Species Distribution Models (SDMs) may offer valuable additional source assess threats evaluate options. In this sense, if output SDMs represents relationships between habitat features species occurrence, SDM results can also be related other key population. For yellow gentian, we tested relationship six field suitabilities obtained by with natural limiting (i.e. proxies disturbances). Specifically, were surface area covered each population, number vegetative reproductive individuals per density all plot proportion individuals. Thus, evaluated testing increased when included in models. Best-fitting models resulted disturbance variables included. addition, show suitability only used for SDMs. index sensitivity climate change was SDMs, plants lower than low sites, suggesting that likely already challenging ability gentian bloom germinate. Otherwise, observed decrease extent localities areas higher through trail intensity. This confirmed positive effect activities, which mainly implemented proximity trails. Using thoroughly studied as straightforward example, showed potentiality inform instead discriminate presence absence. suggest use specific aim support strategic decisions management conservation.