Bat falcon (Falco rufigularis) distribution spatial patterns in Mexico
Bat falcon (Falco rufigularis) distribution spatial patterns in Mexico
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.813462414084
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Palavras-chave: Aves rapaces; Modelado de distribución de especies; aprendizaje de máquina; Biogeografía
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Keywords: Birds of prey; Species distribution modeling; machine learning; Biogeography
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Abstract:
Despite the importance of birds of prey in ecosystems, knowledge about them is limited for most species, especially in tropical regions. On the other hand, there are efforts to collect massive amounts of data, but it is a challenge to convert them into information. This work makes use of the eBird database, updated with Citizen Science, to contribute to the state of knowledge about birds of prey by analyzing the current distribution of the bat falcon. (Falco rufigularis) in Mexico using two complementary approaches; 1) species distribution modeling and 2) population regionalization (records clustering) applying supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms. Results showbat falcon has a wide distribution in Mexico, with an area of environmental suitability of 19,720 km2. Its most abundant and extensive populations are found in the lowlands of the southeast of the country, which is a region with strong anthropogenic pressures.
On the other hand, unsupervised clustering models turned out to be a good tool to analyze spatial patterns in distribution, identifying 8 groups of records that could be interpreted as subpopulations, presenting greater continuity in the states of Veracruz, Tabasco and Chiapas, as well as in the Yucatan peninsula.
- Salvador Garcilita Arguello
- Daniela Treviño Díaz
- Guillermo Raguer González López