Experiments in Ecology 2020 Name: Nithin Sakthi

Lab 3: Niche and distribution

Niche: Species Distribution Models

The fundamental niche of a species is the set of environmental
conditions in which a species can survive and reproduce or where a
population has positive growth. The realized niche of a species is
where it actually lives, which is influenced by biotic factors such as
competition and predation. The range or distribution of a species
is further influenced by dispersal or where it can get to.

Species distribution modelling (SDM) is a tool to predict

distributions of individual species. It has also been called
environmental (or ecological) niche modelling (ENM), habitat
modelling, predictive habitat distribution modelling, and range
mapping. SDMs use computer algorithms to predict the distribution
of a species across geographic space and time using environmental
data. Typically, SDMs use climate data (e.g. temperature, precipitation), but can include
other environmental variables such as slope, aspect, soil, and land cover.

SDMs have applications in conservation, ecology and evolution. They can be used to
predict habitat suitability which can inform management interventions such protection,
reintroduction and restoration. It can also be used to predict a species’ future distribution
in the context of climate change, or a species’ past distribution in order to assess
evolutionary relationships. They can be used to predict the spread of invasive species as
well.

Assignment
1) What do the response curves tell you about the relationship of the species with
environmental variables?

The response curves are an essential analytic tool because they show how a particular
organism responds to various environmental variables such as temperature, rainfall,
humidity, etc. We get a probability density from this curve, with the x-axis
representing the magnitude of the environmental variable and the y axis representing
the probability of finding the species in that variable. It provides a distribution of
optimal conditions for the organism and aids in the search for the animal.

2) What environmental variables best explained the distribution of the three species of
frogs? Which variables were common or different?

On the evaluation of all three of the frog samples provided using Maxent, we can infer
the following:

The P. amboli is significantly reliant on precipitation, both normal (38.5%) and cold
(31.4%), and this is the most critical element influencing the presence of this frog.

The P. kani is heavily reliant on precipitation, particularly the driest month

precipitation (55.4%) and the coldest quarter (30.7%), the most important determining
factor for this frog.
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Experiments in Ecology 2020 Name: Nithin Sakthi
Lab 3: Niche and distribution

Like the P. kani, the P. waynadensis mainly relies on precipitation, with the coldest
quarter accounting for the majority (41.4%) and the driest quarter accounting for the
remainder (25.7%). 

As we can see, rainfall is the most important determining factor in all three situations,
which makes sense because these are frogs who can only spawn in open still water
bodies, which rain ensures.

3) How would you explain the difference in distribution between Raochestes amboli and
R. kani? Can it be explained by factors other than environment?

P. amboli is found in near the coastal line of Karnataka (western Ghats, northern
side), whereas P. kani is found along Kerala's southern coastal area and lands
(southern part western Ghats). A variety of causes can explain the distribution of both
species of frogs. According to the findings from maxent, the distribution of the two
frogs may result from precipitation during the driest months, forcing the P. kani
downwards, as Kerala receives more significant rainfall during the dry quarters.

Yes, other factors, such as the frogs' food preferences, can account for this
distribution. It is possible that the P. kani and P. amboli prefer two different foods and
that other factors like the environment limit their dispersal. Other elements that could
explain its dispersion include its size and men's intervention.