Mapping small mammal optimal habitats using satellite-derived proxy variables and species distribution models.

ABSTRACT: Small mammal species play an important role influencing vegetation primary productivity and plant species composition, seed dispersal, soil structure, and as predator and/or prey species. Species which experience population dynamics cycles can, at high population phases, heavily impact agricultural sectors and promote rodent-borne disease transmission. To better understand the drivers behind small mammal distributions and abundances, and how these differ for individual species, it is necessary to characterise landscape variables important for the life cycles of the species in question. In this study, a suite of Earth observation derived metrics quantifying landscape characteristics and dynamics, and in-situ small mammal trapline and transect survey data, are used to generate random forest

SUBMITTER: Marston C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10434852 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature