Research Article | Published: 30 September 2023

Ecoregion level niche specific habitat prediction of threatened Syzygium caryophyllatum (Myrtaceae) for reintroduction and ecorestoration

M. Anilkumar Devika and K. H. Amitha Bachan

Indian Journal of Forestry | Volume: 46 | Issue: 2 | Page No. 78-86 | 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2023-663HOX | Cite this article

Abstract

Syzygium caryophyllatum (L.) Alston is a medium-sized threatened tree that mainly occupies the low-elevation evergreen patches of the Western Ghats (India) - Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot. The present study predicts the potential habitats of Syzygium caryophyllatum at the ecoregion level for prioritising its conservation and restoration area. The bioclimatic species distribution modelling (SDM) using 19 bioclimatic parameters of World Clim used here to elucidate fundamental niche of the species. The standardised vegetation and landuse layer used in this model for the prediction of potential niche of the species incorporating biotic factors. The incorporation of standardised vegetation layer for the inclusion of Eltonian factors along with MaxEnt based Ecological Niche Modelling helped to refine its predicted area from 10,824 km2 to 8,595 km2 within the Western Ghats. The model adopted with the MaxEnt SDM with additional biotic layers to better accommodate the Grinnellian and Eltonian niche factors. The ecoregion level prediction for the potential habitat of the threatened tree species provides adequate information for the niche specific conservation and ecorestoration planning ensuring ecosystem-based approach (EbA).

Keywords

Conservation, Distribution, MaxEnt, Syzygium, Vulnerable, Western Ghats

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How to cite

Devika, M.A. and Amitha Bachan, K.H., 2023. Ecoregion level niche specific habitat prediction of threatened Syzygium caryophyllatum (Myrtaceae) for reintroduction and ecorestoration. Indian Journal of Forestry, 46(2), pp.78-86. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2023-663HOX

Publication History

Manuscript Received on 01 September 2023

Manuscript Revised on 26 September 2023

Manuscript Accepted on 28 September 2023

Manuscript Published on 30 September 2023

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