Evans, Michael (2016) Species distribution modelling of the Glossy Black Cockatoo in Queensland’s Condamine region. [USQ Project]
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Abstract
This project undertakes species distribution modelling of the Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami). Species distribution modelling is a GIS application that has been used in a number of different studies. In this instance it will be used to predict and map the habitat suitability of areas across the Condamine River catchment in Queensland for the subject species and thus provide information valuable for developing conservation strategies.
The maximum entropy (Maxent) modelling software program was utilised in species distribution modelling. The data for the project has been sourced from a variety of spatial data custodians and then processed through the ArcGIS software to achieve the required data format for analysis. Two main types of datasets were required: the samples (sightings) data of the species, and the environmental variables that provide information to derive the prediction. These variables include; land use, DEM, slope, aspect, regional ecosystems, roads and drainage data.
The modelling has produced a satisfactory and valuable set of results. The main output is a species distribution map, in which every area is assigned specific habitat suitability values for the cockatoo in the area. Another important result is the contribution made by each variable to the final model. In this project land use (46.2%) and elevation (34.9%) were the most important variables in the model, while aspect (1.3%) was the most inconsequential.
Conducting this research has opened up avenues for further work such as expanding the scope to alternate species or different areas. Doing so would further assist in preventing the demise of an endangered species. Doing further research into the specific characteristics of the identified areas of high suitability would also be enlightening. The project has been successful in indentifying suitable habitat for the Glossy Black Cockatoo. The information obtained from this study could be useful in future conservation efforts for this species.
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| Item Type: | USQ Project |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Bachelor of Spatial Science (Honours) Major Geographic Information Systems project |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Civil Engineering and Surveying (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Apan, Armando |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Jul 2017 02:04 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Jul 2017 02:04 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | species distribution modelling; cockatoo; endangered species; habitat suitability |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 09 Engineering > 0905 Civil Engineering > 090599 Civil Engineering not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 40 ENGINEERING > 4005 Civil engineering > 400599 Civil engineering not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/31397 |
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