University of Twente Student Theses
Modelling the seasonal distribution of wild Bactrian camels in relation to changes of the environmental conditions
Odonkhuu, Daria (2012) Modelling the seasonal distribution of wild Bactrian camels in relation to changes of the environmental conditions.
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| Abstract: | Wild Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus ferus) is a critically endangered large ungulate species. Only three distinct populations remained in the world are in Taklimakan Desert, the desert around Lop Nuur in China and the Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area (GGSPA) of Mongolia. Population size in Mongolia is approximately 500 and distribution range has been shrinking. Application of GIS and remote sensing has not been used to study the distribution. The main objective was to identify the environmental factors influencing the distribution and to predict the seasonal distribution in the study area. Distribution was predicted by MaxEnt modelling approach using presence only data with integrating the selected environmental predictors. Land surface temperature, NDVI, water sources, vegetation and soil types were used as main predictors in the modelling. Data set was separated into four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter) and model outputs were compared. Both results of t-test (p<0.0001) and model prediction revealed that land surface temperature in summer has a significant influence on camel that preferring cooler areas avoiding hot temperatures of surrounding environment. Abundance of biomass did not affect the camel distribution strongly. Camel preference to intermediate level of NDVI in most seasons can imply that food intake is based on forage quantity but not quality. Positive relationship of camel probability to higher NDVI in summer suggests that they prefer to herbaceous species which appear after rainfall. Model predicts that distance to the water sources is critical for camel distribution in all seasons and high probability of camel occurrence was predicted near water sources. Shallow mountain soils were predicted as desired soil types for distribution in summer. Spatial co-existence of herbaceous plants, mountain soils and areas of lower temperature are the favourable conditions in camel distribution during summer. No particular habitat preference was predicted in other seasons. Distribution ranges were differed in all seasons. There is a common distribution range predicted in spring, summer and autumn which can be considered as core distribution areas of annual range. Distribution of winter range is differed from other seasons. Predicted distribution range from the MaxEnt modelling occupies the camel range described by other researchers can justify that there is a consistency between survey data and satellite tracking data to model the species distribution. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | ITC: Faculty of Geo-information Science and Earth Observation |
| Programme: | Geoinformation Science and Earth Observation MSc (75014) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/93634 |
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