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Predictive mapping of powerful owl (Ninox strenua) breeding sites using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in urban Melbourne, Australia
journal contribution
posted on 2008-03-03, 00:00 authored by Bronwyn Isaac, Raylene CookeRaylene Cooke, Dianne Simmons, Fiona HoganUrban expansion is a principal process threatening biodiversity globally. It is predicted that over half of the world's population will reside in urban centres by 2010. If we are to conserve biodiversity, a shift in perspective from traditional ecological studies based in natural environments, to studies based in less natural environments is paramount. To effectively conserve species which occur in urban environments, comprehensive analysis is necessary to determine the processes that are driving this urban usage. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technology provides a valuable tool for efficient spatial analysis and predictive mapping of species distributions.
This study used GIS to analyze current breeding sites for the powerful owl, a vulnerable top order predator in urban Melbourne, Australia. GIS analysis suggests that a number of ecological attributes were influencing powerful owl usage of urban environments. Using these ecological attributes, predictive mapping was undertaken, which identified a number of potential breeding sites for powerful owls within urbanized Melbourne.
Urban environments are traditionally perceived as “the wastelands” of natural environments, however, this study demonstrates that they have the potential to support apex predators, an important finding for the management of rare and threatened species.
This study used GIS to analyze current breeding sites for the powerful owl, a vulnerable top order predator in urban Melbourne, Australia. GIS analysis suggests that a number of ecological attributes were influencing powerful owl usage of urban environments. Using these ecological attributes, predictive mapping was undertaken, which identified a number of potential breeding sites for powerful owls within urbanized Melbourne.
Urban environments are traditionally perceived as “the wastelands” of natural environments, however, this study demonstrates that they have the potential to support apex predators, an important finding for the management of rare and threatened species.
History
Journal
Landscape and urban planningVolume
84Issue
3-4Pagination
212 - 218Publisher
Elsevier B.V.Location
Amsterdam, The NetherlandsPublisher DOI
ISSN
0169-2046eISSN
1872-6062Language
engNotes
Available online 19 September 2007Publication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2007, Elsevier B.V.Usage metrics
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raptorsowlsthreatenedurbanizationpredictive mappinghabitat utilizationGISScience & TechnologySocial SciencesLife Sciences & BiomedicinePhysical SciencesEcologyEnvironmental StudiesGeographyGeography, PhysicalRegional & Urban PlanningUrban StudiesEnvironmental Sciences & EcologyPhysical GeographyPublic AdministrationDIETENVIRONMENTSAREASHAWKSPREY
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