Spatial distribution modelling of Stylodipus telum falzfeini (Rodentia, Dipodidae) in the Oleshski Sands using Maxent and Landsat remote sensing data
Abstract
The aim of this study was to model the spatial distribution of the endemic subspecies of the thicktailed three-toed jerboa Stylodipus telum falzfeini (Brauner, 1913) within the Oleshky Sands using remote sensing data and the Maxent software. The modelling was based on occurrence data from 440 S. t. falzfeini burrows. The components of the Tasselled Cap Transformation derived from Landsat-8 remote sensing data were used as ecogeographical variables. The results demonstrated that the selected satellite-derived metrics are well-suited for modelling the spatial distribution of the jerboa. The habitat suitability map revealed that two-thirds of the Oleshky Sands are completely unsuitable for this subspecies. In most arenas, this figure ranges from 55.3% to 65.6%, reaching 80.8% on the Kinburn Peninsula and 78.4% in the Kakhovska arena. As for suitable habitats, not only do they represent a relatively small proportion of the landscape, but they are also highly fragmented due to afforestation efforts, during which extensive areas of pine plantations were established across the Oleshky Sands. The successful modelling of the jerboa’s distribution using temporally comparable satellite-derived metrics enables retrospective analysis of distributional changes within the Oleshky Sands and subsequent detailed assessment of the factors that have influenced these changes over recent decades. Moreover, the data obtained capture the prewar state of the jerboa population and may serve in future as a baseline for assessing the impacts of the war on this population.
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