Abstract
The objective of this study was to utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, and the Global Positioning System (GPS) to develop and test an environmental model. The model was designed to predict, based on a combination of environmental elements, the suitability of habitats for the northern pygmy mouse (Baiomys taylori), the marsh rice rat (Oryzomys palustris), and the hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus). These environmental layers included vegetation types, soils types, and slopes found on Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area (GEWMA) and Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area (RCWMA). The resulting model output was displayed as a map, depicting the spatial distribution of habitat suitability for each of the 3 species on both wildlife management areas (WMAs). After the habitat suitability layer was created, it was tested against field data for the target species to determine if the model was predicting significantly different values for locations where the target species was present compared to sampling points where the species was absent. The results showed that the model consistently predicted higher suitability values for locations where the target species was present compared to locations where the species has not been found. This initial verification indicates that this model may prove useful as a management tool for predicting suitability of habitats for multiple wildlife species. Further verification and refinement need to be conducted on the model before it can be considered accurate.
Daugherty, Brad Ellis (2000). Utilizing spatial technologies to understand and model wildlife species distributions. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -2000 -THESIS -D366.