Identification of degradation factors in mountain semiarid rangelands using spatial distribution modelling and ecological niche theory
- 7 July 2022
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Geocarto International
- Vol. 37 (27), 15235-15251
- https://doi.org/10.1080/10106049.2022.2096701
Abstract
This paper presents an approach to studying rangeland degradation by using remote sensing data, geographic information systems, and ecological niche theory. The role of environmental factors and land use in the spatial distribution of degraded rangelands in the Central Caucasus was assessed. Degradation stages were modelled in R using ENVIREM predictors, VIF test to select noncorrelated variables, ENMeval package to select the optimal model parameters, and the Maxent method to develop distribution models in the dismo package. Selected models had AUCtest, AUCtrain and CBI values close to 1, deltaAICc and AUCdiff values close to 0, and quite low AICc values. Environmental predictors of climate type (Thornthwaite aridity index and Emberger’s pluviothermic quotient) were explanatory variables for least disturbed rangelands, while topography (Terrain roughness index) largely explained the distribution of most disturbed grasslands. Quantitative (Schoener’s D) and graphical (Kernel density estimation, analysis of predictive maps) assessment revealed a significant overlap of ‘ecological niches’ and potential ranges of grasslands at different degradation stages, which indirectly supports the hypothesis of the important role of overgrazing in their degradation. Livestock management is likely to help restore disturbed mountain meadow steppes to steppe grasslands. Restoration of the arid shrub ecosystems to steppe grasslands or meadow steppes probably requires additional agricultural practices.Keywords
This publication has 51 references indexed in Scilit:
- UAS remote sensing missions for rangeland applicationsGeocarto International, 2011
- Mesquite encroachment impact on southern New Mexico rangelands: remote sensing and geographic information systems approachJournal of Applied Remote Sensing, 2011
- ENMTools: a toolbox for comparative studies of environmental niche modelsEcography, 2010
- Updated world map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classificationHydrology and Earth System Sciences, 2007
- Soil Stabilizing Characteristics of Rangelands Vegetation in Northwest Iran (Misho Rangelands Protected Location of Shabestar)Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, 2007
- Spatial Modeling of Rangeland Potential Vegetation EnvironmentsJournal of Range Management, 2001
- A review of methods for the assessment of prediction errors in conservation presence/absence modelsEnvironmental Conservation, 1997
- A new look at the statistical model identificationIEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 1974
- The Anolis Lizards of Bimini: Resource Partitioning in a Complex FaunaEcology, 1968
- An Approach toward a Rational Classification of ClimateGeographical Review, 1948