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Assessing the temporal transferability of raptor distribution models: Implications for conservation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2017

LUIS TAPIA ,
ADRIÁN REGOS ,
ALBERTO GIL-CARRERA  and
JESÚS DOMÍNGUEZ Open the ORCID record for JESÚS DOMÍNGUEZ[Opens in a new window]
LUIS TAPIA*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Zooloxía, Xenética e Antropoloxía Física. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Sur, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain. EBX, Estación Biolóxica do Xurés, Vilameá 121, 32870 Lobios, Galicia, Spain.
ADRIÁN REGOS
Affiliation:
Departamento de Zooloxía, Xenética e Antropoloxía Física. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Sur, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain. CIBIO/InBIO, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Predictive Ecology Group, Campus Agrario de Vairão, R. Padre Armando Quintas, N° 7, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal. CTFC-CREAF, InForest Joint Research Unit, Solsona 25280, Spain.
ALBERTO GIL-CARRERA
Affiliation:
EBX, Estación Biolóxica do Xurés, Vilameá 121, 32870 Lobios, Galicia, Spain. GREFA, Monte del Pilar S/N, Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain.
JESÚS DOMÍNGUEZ
Affiliation:
Departamento de Zooloxía, Xenética e Antropoloxía Física. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Sur, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
*
*Author for correspondence; e-mail: luis.tapia@usc.es
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Summary

The aim of this study was to assess the temporal transferability of species distribution models (SDMs) and their potential implications for bird conservation. We quantified the loss and fragmentation of Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus and Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus habitats over 13 years (2001–2014) in a highly dynamic landscape in north-western Spain. For this purpose, priority habitats for the target species were modelled at four different spatial scales using an ensemble forecasting framework. To explore the temporal transferability of our ensemble predictions, the models were back-projected to the land cover conditions in 2001 and evaluated using historical occurrence data. In addition, models calibrated with historical data were projected to the land cover conditions in 2014 and evaluated using updated occurrence data. Changes in availability and connectivity of suitable habitats between both years were estimated at four spatial scales from a set of widely-used indicators. SDMs showed a good predictive accuracy but with limited temporal transferability due to changes in the species-habitat relationships between 2001 and 2014. The results showed a decrease in the avaliability of suitable habitats of 33.4% and 47.7% for Montagu’s Harrier and Common Kestrel, respectively; with the subsequent increase in their fragmentation. However, our estimates were found to be strongly dependent on the scale of analysis and model transferability. Changes in habitat availability and connectivity ranged from -48% to +54% for Montagu’s Harrier, and from +116% to +5.6% for Common Kestrel. We call for caution when using SDMs beyond the model calibration time period to guide bird conservation. This is especially important for raptors, often characterised by low population sizes and large home ranges, and particularly sensitive to unstable, highly dynamic environmental conditions. In light of these results, specific, long-standing monitoring protocols remain essential to ensure accurate modelling performance and reliable future projections.

Type
Research Article
Information
Bird Conservation International , Volume 28 , Issue 3 , September 2018 , pp. 375 - 389
Copyright
Copyright © BirdLife International 2017 

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Footnotes

§

Contributed equally

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