A quantitative assessment of site-level factors in influencing Chukar (Alectoris chukar) introduction outcomes.

ABSTRACT: Chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar) are popular game birds that have been introduced throughout the world. Propagules of varying magnitudes have been used to try and establish populations into novel locations, though the relationship between propagule size and species establishment remains speculative. Previous qualitative studies argue that site-level factors are of importance when determining where to release Chukar. We utilized machine learning ensembles to evaluate bioclimatic and topographic data from native and naturalized regions to produce predictive species distribution models (SDMs) and evaluate the relationship between establishment and site-level factors for the conterminous United States. Predictions were then compared to a distribution map based on recorded occurrence

SUBMITTER: Smith AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8054752 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature