Niche-Based Modeling of Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) Using Presence-Only Information

Bush, Nathan

Publication:
Niche-Based Modeling of Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) Using Presence-Only Information

dc.contributor.advisor	Timothy Randhir
dc.contributor.advisor	Charles Schweik
dc.contributor.author	Bush, Nathan
dc.contributor.department	University of Massachusetts Amherst
dc.contributor.department	Environmental Conservation
dc.date	2024-03-28T20:48:18.000
dc.date.accessioned	2024-04-26T18:17:23Z
dc.date.available	2024-04-26T18:17:23Z
dc.date.submitted	September
dc.date.submitted	2015
dc.description.abstract	The Connecticut River watershed is experiencing a rapid invasion of aggressive non-native plant species, which threaten watershed function and structure. Volunteer-based monitoring programs such as the University of Massachusetts’ OutSmart Invasives Species Project, Early Detection Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS) and the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE) have gathered valuable invasive plant data. These programs provide a unique opportunity for researchers to model invasive plant species utilizing citizen-sourced data. This study took advantage of these large data sources to model invasive plant distribution and to determine environmental and biophysical predictors that are most influential in dispersion, and to identify a suitable presence-only model for use by conservation biologists and land managers at varying spatial scales. This research focused on the invasive plant species of high interest - Japanese stiltgrass (Mircostegium vimineum). This was identified as a threat by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge biologists and refuge managers, but for which no mutli-scale practical and systematic approach for detection, has yet been developed. Environmental and biophysical variables include factors directly affecting species physiology and locality such as annual temperatures, growing degree days, soil pH, available water supply, elevation, closeness to hydrology and roads, and NDVI. Spatial scales selected for this study include New England (regional), the Connecticut River watershed (watershed), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Salmon River Division (local). At each spatial scale, three software programs were implemented: maximum entropy habitat model by means of the MaxEnt software, ecological niche factor analysis (ENFA) using Openmodeller software, and a generalized linear model (GLM) employed in the statistical software R. Results suggest that each modeling algorithm performance varies among spatial scales. The best fit modeling software designated for each scale will be useful for refuge biologists and managers in determining where to allocate resources and what areas are prone to invasion. Utilizing the regional scale results, managers will understand what areas on a broad-scale are at risk of M. vimineum invasion under current climatic variables. The watershed-scale results will be practical for protecting areas designated as most critical for ensuring the persistence of rare and endangered species and their habitats. Furthermore, the local-scale, or fine-scale, analysis will be directly useful for on-the-ground conservation efforts. Managers and biologists can use results to direct resources to areas where M. vimineum is most likely to occur to effectively improve early detection rapid response (EDRR).
dc.description.degree	Master of Science (M.S.)
dc.identifier.doi	https://doi.org/10.7275/7530331
dc.identifier.orcid	N/A
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14394/33260
dc.relation.url	https://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1313&context=masters_theses_2&unstamped=1
dc.source.status	published
dc.subject	Japanese stiltgrass
dc.subject	modeling
dc.subject	GLM
dc.subject	ENFA
dc.subject	Maxent
dc.subject	GIS
dc.subject	Biostatistics
dc.subject	Design of Experiments and Sample Surveys
dc.subject	Natural Resources and Conservation
dc.subject	Natural Resources Management and Policy
dc.subject	Other Statistics and Probability
dc.subject	Probability
dc.subject	Statistical Methodology
dc.subject	Statistical Models
dc.subject	Statistical Theory
dc.title	Niche-Based Modeling of Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) Using Presence-Only Information
dc.type	openaccess
dc.type	article
dc.type	thesis
digcom.contributor.author	isAuthorOfPublication\|email:nrbush@eco.umass.edu\|institution:University of Massachusetts Amherst\|Bush, Nathan
digcom.identifier	masters_theses_2/265
digcom.identifier.contextkey	7530331
digcom.identifier.submissionpath	masters_theses_2/265
dspace.entity.type	Publication