ALISON THIEME

Species Distribution Modeling of Endemic Birds in Hispaniola

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Advisors:

Dr. John Rogan, Clark University

Dr. Florencia Sangermano, Clark University

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Project Team:

Sean McCartney, Clark University

Alison Thieme, Clark University

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Abstract:

This study focuses on species distribution modeling for the conservation of endemic bird species in Hispaniola. Three modeling methods were compared using GBIF presence locations and environmental predictor variables for twelve bird species. Alpha diversity maps were created from single-species distribution maps and compared with a fourth alpha diversity map derived from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) range polygons. Few studies have compared the relative distributions of species resulting from different modeling methods and data sets.  While individual species distributions varied by model type, the alpha diversity maps using each modeling type showed similarities with highest predicted prevalence in forested mountainous areas. Based on the results from the hotspot analysis of each alpha diversity map, a hotspot map was created from the average of all four hotspot maps and compared with current protected areas in Hispaniola.  Of the 21,658 km2 of statistically significant (> 1.96 standard deviation) hotspots of endemic bird species, 28% of this area overlaps with protected areas. Of the 12,548 km2 of protected areas, 48.2% of this area overlaps with hotspots of endemic bird species.

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Acknowledgements:

This project was completed with the support of Clark University and the George Perkins Marsh Institute's 

Albert, Norma and Howard '77 Geller Student Research Grants.