An ecosystem approach to formalising environmental factors in species distribution models

What is it about?

Abiotic factors play an important role in species localisation, but biotic and anthropogenic predictors must also be considered in distribution modelling for models to be biologically meaningful. In this study, we formalised the biotic predictors of nesting sites for four threatened Caucasian vultures by including species distribution models (wild ungulates, nesting tree species) as biotic layers in the vulture Maxent models. Despite similar foraging and nesting requirements, Caucasian vultures are not pronounced nesting and trophic competitors due to the abundance of nesting sites, anthropogenic food sources and successful niche sharing.

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Photo by Theo Ptrlt on Unsplash

Photo by Theo Ptrlt on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Our findings and predictive maps may prove valuable for regional management of the four studied vultures. The most suitable nesting sites in the species core ranges in the Caucasus should be prioritised to establish buffer zones where human disturbance is restricted or prohibited. As the ecological niches of the four scavengers overlap significantly in terms of abiotic factors and nest localisation relative to anthropogenic facilities, each of the vultures can be considered an umbrella species for the protection of other vultures. Territories of high conservation status for one vulture may therefore be buffer zones for other species. Vultures in buffer zones should be protected by controlling human access to these sites (hunting and forestry, sport, tourism, etc.) especially during the breeding season.