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Habitat suitability and distribution patterns of Rouget's rail (Rougetius rougetii Guérin‐méneville, 1843) in Ethiopia.

Authors :
Argaw, Hailu Tilahun
Bekele, Afework
Atickem, Anagaw
Stenseth, Nils Chr.
Tsegaye, Diress
Bogale, Bezawork Afework
Source :
Ecology & Evolution (20457758). Sep2024, Vol. 14 Issue 9, p1-10. 10p.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Geographical distribution and diversity patterns of bird species are influenced by climate change. The Rouget's rail (Rougetius rougetii) is a ground‐dwelling endemic bird species distributed in Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is a near‐threatened species menaced by habitat loss, one of the main causes of population declines for bird species. The increasing effects of climate change may further threaten the species' survival. So far, the spatial distribution of this species is not fully documented. With this study, we develop current potential suitable habitat and predict the future habitat shift of R. rougetii based on environmental data such as bioclimatic variables, population density, vegetation cover, and elevation using 10 algorithms. We evaluated the importance of environmental factors in shaping the bird's distribution and how it shifts under climate change scenarios. We used 182 records of R. rougetii from Ethiopia and nine bioclimatic, population density, vegetation cover, and elevation variables to run the 10 model algorithms. Among 10 algorithms, eight were selected for ensembling models according to their predictive abilities. The current suitable habitats for R. rougetii were predicted to cover an area of about 82,000 km2 despite being highly fragmented. The model suggested that temperature seasonality (bio4), elevation, and mean daily air temperatures of the driest quarter (bio9) contributed the most to delimiting suitable areas for this species. R. rougetii is sensitive to climate change associated with elevation, which leads shrinking distribution of suitable areas. The projected spatial and temporal pattern of habitat loss of R. rougetii suggests the importance of climate change mitigation and implementing long‐term conservation and management strategies for this threatened endemic bird species. Rougetius rougetii is a near‐threatened, ground‐dwelling endemic bird species distributed in Ethiopia and Eritrea, and the spatial distribution of this species is not fully documented. With the help of an ensembling model and the current distribution, which covers an area of ~82,000 km2, we develop potential suitable habitats now and forecast future habitat shifts based on environmental data. Long‐term conservation and management plans for this near‐threatened endemic bird species, as well as mitigating the effects of climate change, are crucial, as indicated by the anticipated spatial and temporal pattern of range shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20457758
Volume :
14
Issue :
9
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Ecology & Evolution (20457758)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
179961398
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70276