Species distribution modeling for the invasive raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Austria and first range predictions for alpine environments

Authors

  • Tanja Duscher Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstraße 1, 1160 Vienna
  • Ursula Nopp-Mayr Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor Mendelstraße 33, 1180 Vienna

Keywords:

raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides, species distribution model, MaxEnt, Alps

Abstract

Species distribution models are important tools for wildlife management planning, particularly in the case of invasive species. We employed a recent framework for niche-based invasive species distribution modeling to predict the probability of presence for the invasive raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Austria. The raccoon dog is an adaptive, mobile and highly reproductive Asiatic canid that has successfully invaded many parts of Europe. It is known to occur in Austria since 1963 and is now widespread in the northern and eastern parts of the country, but its population density remains low. With the help of a species distribution model we identified focal areas for future monitoring and management actions, and we address some management implications for the raccoon dog in Austria. We also determined the environmental predictors of raccoon dog distribution in this alpine country. Its distribution seems to be mainly limited by climatic factors (snow depth, duration of snow cover, winter precipitation and mean annual temperature) and is thus linked to elevation. Consequently, we assumed the Alps to be a barrier for the spread of the invasive raccoon dog in Europe; however, its ecological permeability is expected to increase with ongoing climate change.

https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS161124009D

Received: November 24, 2016; Revised: February 17, 2017; Accepted: March 1, 2017; Published online: March 16, 2017

How to cite this article: Duscher T, Nopp-Mayr U. Species distribution modeling for the invasive raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Austria and first range predictions for alpine environments. Arch Biol Sci. 2017;69(4):637-47.

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Published

2017-10-18

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Duscher T, Nopp-Mayr U. Species distribution modeling for the invasive raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Austria and first range predictions for alpine environments. Arch Biol Sci [Internet]. 2017Oct.18 [cited 2024Mar.28];69(4):637-4. Available from: https://serbiosoc.org.rs/arch/index.php/abs/article/view/1239

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