Shrub and vegetation cover predict resource selection use by an endangered species of desert lizard

19Citations
Citations of this article
38Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

Globally, no species is exempt from the constraints associated with limited available habitat or resources, and endangered species in particular warrant critical examination. In most cases, these species are restricted to limited locations, and the relative likelihood of resource use within the space they can access is important. Using Gambelia sila, one of the first vertebrate species listed as endangered, we used resource selection function analysis of telemetry and remotely sensed data to identity key drivers of selected versus available locations for this species in Carrizo Plain National Monument, USA. We examined the probability of selection given different resource types. Increasing shrub cover, lower and relatively more flat sites, increasing normalized difference vegetation index, and solar radiation all significantly predicted likelihood of observed selection within the area sampled. Imagery data were also validated with fine-scale field data showing that large-scale contrasts of selection relative to available location patterns for animal species are a useful lens for potential habitat. Key environmental infrastructure such as foundation plant species including shrubs or local differences in the physical attributes were relevant to this endangered species.

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Lortie, C. J., Braun, J., Westphal, M., Noble, T., Zuliani, M., Nix, E., … Scott Butterfield, H. (2020). Shrub and vegetation cover predict resource selection use by an endangered species of desert lizard. Scientific Reports, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61880-9

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 20

80%

Lecturer / Post doc 2

8%

Researcher 2

8%

Professor / Associate Prof. 1

4%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Agricultural and Biological Sciences 14

54%

Environmental Science 10

38%

Computer Science 1

4%

Neuroscience 1

4%

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free