Data fusion and integrated species distribution models for three endangered ferns (<i>Culcita macrocarpa, Diplazium caudatum, and Pteris incompleta</i>) in a Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Accurately modeling the distribution and abundance of rare and threatened species is considered critical for informing conservation strategies under increasing environmental pressures. Three threatened paleomediterranean relict ferns, Culcita macrocarpa, Diplazium caudatum, and Pteris incompleta, are restricted to climatically stable microhabitats within Los Alcornocales Natural Park (southern Spain), rendering them particularly vulnerable to environmental change.

Methods

A joint-likelihood framework was employed within Integrated Species Distribution Models (ISDMs) to estimate spatiotemporal abundance of the three fern species. Structured abundance data (2014-2023) from the Andalusian Fern Recovery Plan were integrated with opportunistic presence-

SUBMITTER: Ruiz-Valero A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12705598 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature