Summary: Modeling species' geographic distributions for preliminary
conservation assessments: an implementation with the spiny pocket
mice (Heteromys) of Ecuador
Robert P. Andersona,
*, Enrique Marti´nez-Meyerb,1
a
Division of Vertebrate Zoology (Mammalogy), American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street,
New York, NY 10024, USA
b
Department of Geography, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
Received 12 December 2002; received in revised form 18 April 2003; accepted 25 April 2003
Abstract
GIS-based modeling of a species' environmental requirements using known occurrence records can provide estimates of its dis-
tribution for conservation assessments when other data are lacking. We used collection records, environmental variables, maps of
land cover and protected areas, and the Genetic Algorithm for Rule-Set Prediction (GARP) to estimate the historical, current, and
protected ranges of the spiny pocket mice present in Ecuador (Heteromys australis and H. teleus). The results suggest that ca. 52­
63% of the distributional areas of H. australis in the country are intact, but suitable habitat in protected areas represents only
approximately 11­13% of the species' historical range there. The distribution of H. teleus has been much more reduced, with only
ca. 13­19% of its historical distribution still forested and an estimated 2­3% intact and falling in protected areas. Our work high-
lights critical areas for future fieldwork and demonstrates an integrated approach to estimating a species' current distribution for

Source: Anderson, Robert P. - Department of Biology, City College, City University of New York

Collections: Environmental Sciences and Ecology