Species distribution modeling in regions of high need and limited data: waterfowl of China

摘要: A number of conservation and societal issues require understanding how species are distributed on the landscape, yet ecologists often faced with a lack data to develop models at resolution extent desired, resulting in inefficient use resources. Such situation presented itself our attempt waterfowl distribution as part multi-disciplinary team targeting control highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus China. Faced limited data, we built using habitat suitability approach for China’s breeding non-breeding (hereafter, wintering) waterfowl. An extensive review literature was used determine model parameters modeling. Habitat relationships were implemented GIS land cover covariates. Wintering validated census while models, though developed many species, only one sufficient telemetry available. We 42 (30 39 1 km China, along cumulative genus level richness maps. Breeding season showed highest wetlands high-elevation west-central plateau northeastern lowland regions southeastern Validation measures indicated strong performance predicting presence. Comparing outputs protected areas that generally better covered than wintering habitat, identified locations which additional research protection should be prioritized. These first available have direct utility planning prioritizing management critically important areas, providing an example this may aid others challenge addressing little inform decision making.