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Abstract Generalizable methods that identify suitable aquatic habitat across large river basins and regions are needed to inform resource management. Habitat suitability models intersect environmental variables to predict species occurrence, but are often data intensive and thus are typically developed at small spatial scales. This study estimated mean monthly aquatic habitat suitability throughout Utah (USA) for Bonneville Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii utah) and Bluehead Sucker (Catostomus discobolus) with publicly available, geospatial datasets. We evaluated 15 habitat suitability models using unique combinations of percent of mean annual discharge, velocity, gradient, and stream temperature. Environmental variables were validated with observed conditions and species presence observations to verify habitat suitability estimates. Stream temperature, gradient, and discharge best predicted Bonneville Cutthroat Trout presence, and gradient and discharge best predicted Bluehead Sucker presence. Simple aquatic habitat suitability models outperformed models that used only streamflow to estimate habitat for both species, and are useful for conservation planning and water resources decision‐making. This modeling approach could enable resource managers to prioritize stream restoration across vast regions within their management domain, and is potentially compatible with water management modeling to improve ecological objectives in management models.
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Comparing Methods for Estimating Habitat Suitability
Habitat suitability (HS) describes the ability of the habitat to support living organisms. There are several approaches to estimate habitat suitability. These approaches are specific to a species or habitat or estimate general HS broadly across multiple species or habitats. The objectives of the study were to compare the approaches for estimating HS and to provide guidelines for choosing an appropriate HS method for conservation. Three HS estimation methods were used. Method 1 scores the suitability based on the naturality of the habitat. Method 2 uses the average of HS values found in the literature. Method 3 uses the species richness as an indicator for HS. The methods were applied to a case study in the Choctawhatchee River Watershed. GIS applications were used to model the suitability of the watershed. The advantages and disadvantages of the HS methods were then summarized. The multiple HS maps created using the three methods display the suitability of the watershed. The highest suitability occurred in the southern parts of the region. Finally, a decision support tool was developed to help determine which approach to select based on the available data and research goals.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1735235
- PAR ID:
- 10433381
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Land
- Volume:
- 11
- Issue:
- 10
- ISSN:
- 2073-445X
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1754
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.3390/land11101754
