Animal movement analysis/GIS extension program: A tool for biodiversity conservation

• Main Author: Arboleda, Irene Neri
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2003
• Subjects: Geographic information systems; Biodiversity conservation; Biodiversity
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/11931
• Institution: De La Salle University

With the GIS Arcview 3.2 extension program ANIMAL MOVEMENT ANALYST, a total of 935 locational fixes from a field radiotelemetry data were used to determine the home range size, spatial configurations, movement patterns and habitat use of an endemic nocturnal faunal species for management and conservation purposes. Minimum Convex Polygon and Kernel Density Estimator 95% isopleth calculated male and female average home ranges to be 6.45 ha and 1.45 ha respectively. Individuals did not use their entire home range in 62% of continuous (12-hr) monitoring. Individuals utilized 1 primary and several alternative-sleeping sites. KERNEL 95% showed moderate range overlap between males and females, at an average of 38.5%. Activity centers overlapped between sexes for two male/female pairs. However,. there was very minimal range overlap within sexes, at an average of 2.71% and 3.45% for males and females respectively. Create Polyline from the Point File option under the MOVEMENT program was used to compute for the point to point distance travelled by the study individuals. It was used to determine the movement patterns as well. Mean distance travelled by adult males was 1,636 m and 1,119 m for adult females. The most extensive movement in one 12-hour shift was by an adult male who travelled 2,284 m. A non-random pattern of range use was observed of the individuals in the study. Males tended to traverse the periphery of their range frequently and travel from one end to the other end, often using a different sleeping site each time. Females followed a habitual path for several nights and changed to a new travel path subsequently. Females used their activity centers more than males. Vector and raster data models were used to analyze habitat use of these species. Habitat classifications were assigned based on physical characteristics, vegetative cover and land use pattern. Early to mid succession forest was the most preferred habitat type followed by (in order of preference) shrubland, palm/bamboo, late succession forest and grassland. Other habitat types that were never utilized were clearings, agricultural land, residential houses and water/swamp. Implications of these data for the conservation of the species includes maintenance of ample viable habitat area and substrates used, which means appropriate management of the preferred habitat type. Continuous rehabilitation and reconstruction of several degraded habitats across the known geographical distribution of the species is therefore highly recommended.