Predicting presence and absence of trout (Salmo trutta) in Iran.
Species distribution modelling, as a central issue in freshwater ecology, is an important tool for conservation and management of aquatic ecosystems. The brown trout (Salmo trutta) is a sensitive species which reacts to habitat changes induced by human impacts. Therefore, the identification of suitable habitats is essential. This study explores the potential distribution of brown trout by a species distribution modelling approach for Iran. Furthermore, modelling results are compared to the distribution described in the literature. Areas outside the currently known distribution which may offer potential habitats for brown trout are identified. The species distribution modelling was based on five different modelling techniques: Generalised Linear Model, Generalised Additive Model, Generalised Boosting Model, Classification Tree Analysis and Random Forests, which are finally summarised in an ensemble forecasting approach. We considered four environmental descriptors at the local scale (slope, bankfull width, wetted width, and elevation) and three climatic parameters (mean air temperature, range of air temperature and annual precipitation) which were extracted on three different spatial extents (1/5/10 km). The performance of all models was excellent (≥0.8) according to the TSS (True Skill Statistic) criterion. Slope, mean and range of air temperature were the most important variables in predicting brown trout occurrence. Presented results deepen the knowledge about distribution patterns of brown trout in Iran. Moreover, this study gives a basic background for the future development of assessment methods for riverine ecosystems in Iran.
Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria ; Department of Bio-diversity and Ecosystem Management, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
Hossein
H
Mostafavi
Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
Florian
F
Pletterbauer
Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada.
Brian W
BW
Coad
Faculty of Fishery and Environment, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.
Abdolrassoul Salman
AS
Mahini
Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
Rafaela
R
Schinegger
Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
Günther
G
Unfer
Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
Clemens
C
Trautwein
Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
Stefan
S
Schmutz
Brown trout; Iran; Species distribution modelling