Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.2478/botcro-2014-0007

Towards detecting bioclimatic niche – species distribution modelling in four maple species (Acer spp.)

Eva Kabaš ; Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden Jevremovac, Takovska 43, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Vera Batanjski ; Institute of Criminological and Sociological Research, Gračanička 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Peter Glasnović ; University of Primorska, Science and Research Centre, Institute of Biodiversity Studies, Garibaldijeva 1, SI-6000 Koper, Slovenia; University of Primorska, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, Glagoljaška 8, SI-6000 Koper
Dražen Vicić ; Faculty of Ecology and Environment, Cara Dušana 62–64, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Aljoša Tanasković ; Institute of Public Health of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 54a, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Nevena Kuzmanović ; Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden Jevremovac, Takovska 43, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Dmitar Lakušić ; Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden Jevremovac, Takovska 43, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Jasmina Šinžar-Sekulić ; Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden Jevremovac, Takovska 43, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

The aim of this paper was firstly to describe the ecological and geographical differentiation of the four maple species (Acer spp.) in Serbia and Kosovo based on floristic and phytocoenological data, and secondly, to model their distributions in order to predict which areas the species can be expected in. The intention was also to compare the resulting prediction maps with the available field records and see whether there are any differences between the actual and the predicted ranges. The data set included 1979 species records and each record was accompanied by geographic coordinates. The geographical analysis was performed on the chorological data (latitude, longitude, altitude), while the ecological was based on vegetation data relating to the association, alliance, order and class as well as on 19 bioclimatic parameters. The data set was georeferenced using GIS tools. The results demonstrated that the distribution patterns of all the analyzed species are mostly affected by the limiting effects of the variables related to precipitation and temperature of the dry and also the warm period. Their synergic limiting effects are the most important force shaping distribution patterns within a territory. These findings highlight the importance of defining bioclimatic profiles of species using different techniques of distribution modelling.

Keywords

Acer spp.; distribution; ecology; Kosovo; modelling; Serbia

Hrčak ID:

127805

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/127805

Publication date:

2.10.2014.

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