Use of biodiversity modelling in environmental conservation - a
case study
Marinez Ferreira de Siqueira (), Giselda Durigan, Mauro Muñoz, Fabrício Pavarin
Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental
At the rate natural environments are being destroyed, the use of techniques and tools that help understand
the distribution of species in natural habitats becomes fundamental. CRIA is working on the development of
predictive geographic distribution models of trees in areas where the original vegetation is very
fragmented or has been completely destroyed.
In order to reach this aim it is necessary to have environmental data available with a good resolution
together with precise data on species occurrence. For the purpose of this work the area chosen was the
watershed Bacia do Médio Paranapanema, in the State of São Paulo. GARP (Genetic Algorythm for Rule-set
Production) was used to model the potential distribution of a set of tree species located in this area. In
order to characterize the fundamental niche of the species, environmental data such as climate (mean,
maximum and medium monthly temperatures, precipitation and the occurrence of frost) and physical aspects
(geology, soil and topography) were used. For more information about the conservation necessities of the
study area, information about erosion risks and land use were also considered.
Based on the use of these tools, a methodology is being developed to help select more adequate native
species to be used in the recuperation of areas under different environmental degradation conditions.
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