Spatial prediction of species’ distributions from occurrence-only records: combining point pattern analysis, ENFA and regression-kriging

A computational framework to map species’ distributions (realized density) using occurrence-only data and environmental predictors is presented and illustrated using a textbook example and two case studies: distribution of root vole (Microtes oeconomus) in the Netherlands, and distribution of white-tailed eagle nests (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Croatia. The framework combines strengths of point pattern analysis (kernel smoothing), Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA) and geostatistics (logistic regression-kriging), as implemented in the spatstat, adehabitat and gstat packages of the R environment for statistical computing. A procedure to generate pseudo-absences is proposed. It uses Habitat Suitability Index (HSI, derived through ENFA) and distance from observations as weight maps to allocate pseudo-absence points. This design ensures that the simulated pseudo-absences fall further away from the occurrence points in both feature and geographical spaces. The simulated pseudo-absences can then be combined with occurrence locations and used to build regression-kriging prediction models. The output of prediction are either probabilitiesy of species’ occurrence or density measures. Addition of the pseudo-absence locations has proven effective — the adjusted R-square increased from 0.71 to 0.80 for root vole (562 records), and from 0.69 to 0.83 for white-tailed eagle (135 records) respectively; pseudo-absences improve spreading of the points in feature space and ensure consistent mapping over the whole area of interest. Results of cross validation (leave-one-out method) for these two species showed that the model explains 98% of the total variability in the density values for the root vole, and 94% of the total variability for the white-tailed eagle. The framework could be further extended to Generalized multivariate Linear Geostatistical Models and spatial prediction of multiple species. A copy of the R script and step-by-step instructions to run such analysis are available via contact author’s website

Soil property maps of the agricultural land of Hungary

Continuous soil maps were prepared on the basis of three point databases, which cover the agricultural areas of Hungary.JRC.H.5 - Land Resources Managemen

A Practical Guide to Geostatistical Mapping of Environmental Variables

Geostatistical mapping can be defined as analytical production of maps by using field observations, auxiliary information and a computer program that calculates values at locations of interest. Today, increasingly the heart of a mapping project is, in fact, the computer program that implements some (geo)statistical algorithm to a given point data set. Purpose of this guide is to assist you in producing quality maps by using fully-operational tools, without a need for serious additional investments. It will first introduce you the to the basic principles of geostatistical mapping and regression-kriging, as the key prediction technique, then it will guide you through four software packages: ILWIS GIS, R+gstat, SAGA GIS and Google Earth, which will be used to prepare the data, run analysis and make final layouts.JRC.H.7-Land management and natural hazard

Geoinformacijske tehnologija u kartiranju i gospodarenju tlima u Hrvatskoj

The paper mentions some major issues considering the application of geoinformation technologies in mapping and management of soils in Croatia. Results taken from two independent projects are described. In one, use of DGPS receivers and remote sensing in soil mapping is described and in other, use of GIS tools and SGDB for decision making. GPS has proven to be efficient and powerful tool for mapping soils and navigation in the field. The accuracy of positioning (95% probability radius) ranged from 5 m for DGPS with averaging to 19.1 m for single fix DGPS and 144 m for single fix uncorrected GPS method. Landsat TM image was used to map organic matter content (%) ranging from 0 to 15% with precision of ±4.6%. GIS software was used to derive interpretation maps such as suitability for crop production, vineyards and suggest measures for the improvements and protection of soil. To objectively evaluate use of different methods of positioning, 95% probability error radius should be used. Use of the remote sensing and GIS tools is also a promising improvement. A GIS Soil Information System - soil map linked with the database of soil properties is an objective tool to come to decisions on land use. The conventional mapping units (Soil mapping units) can be replaced with the raster-based maps of single soil properties of fine grain of detail (30x30m) by using remote sensing and terrain data. The applications of these systems can bring management of soils in Croatia to a finer and more objective level -precision management.U članku se spominju neki glavni aspekti uporabe geoinformacijskih tehnologija u kartiranju i gospodarenju tlima u Hrvatskoj. Prikazani su rezultati dva nezavisna projekta. U jednom je opisana uporaba DGPS prijemnika te daljinskih istraživanja u kartiranju tala, a u drugom uporaba GIS alata te Geografske baze podataka o tlu za potrebe donošenja gospodarskih planova. GPS se potvrdio kao uspješan i moćan alat za kartiranje tala te terensku navigaciju. Točnost pozicioniranja (95% polumjer vjerojatnosti) kretao se od 5 m za DGPS metodu sa usrednjavanjem do 19.1 m za dinamičnu DGPS metodu te 144 m za grubu GPS metodu bez korekcije. Landsat TM snimka je rabljena za kartiranje sadržaja organske tvari (%) u rasponu od 0 do 15 % sa preciznošću od 4.6%. GIS program je rabljen za izradu interpretacijskih karata kao što su pogodnost za ratarstvo, vinogradarstvo te kao pomoć pri odabiru mjera za unapređenje i zaštitu tala. Preporučljivo je rabiti 95% polumjer vjerojatnosti pogreške za objektivnu procjenu različitih metoda pozicioniranja. Uporaba daljinskih istraživanja te GIS alata je također obećavajuće unapređenje. GIS Sustav informacija o tlu - digitalna karta povezana s bazom podataka o tlu je objektivan alat za donošenje odluka o uporabi zemlji.ta. Tradicionalne kartografske jedinice tla mogu se zamijeniti s raster-temeljenim kartama pojedinačnih parametara o tlu fine prostorne rezolucije (30x30m) uporabom satelitskih snimaka te podataka o reljefu. Primjena ovakvih sustava može podići gospodarenje tlima u Hrvatskoj na objektivniju i precizniju razinu-precizno gospodarenje

Thematic Working Map in GIS Environment

Za planiranje održivog razvoja i korištenja prostora potrebno je raspolagati velikim brojem kvalitetnih i pouzdanih informacija, temeljem èega je onda moguće donošenje pravovremenih i valjanih odluka. Jedan od najvažnijih oblika informacija predstavljaju razne kartografske podloge. Izrada takvih podloga do nedavno je bila dosta kompleksna. Danas je zahvaljujući GIS tehnologiji, moguće izraditi odgovarajuće Geografsko informacijske sustave s bazama podataka na temelju kojih je moguće relativno jednostavno i brzo izrađivati brojne potrebne tematske karte. U radu se prikazuje način izrade Geografsko i zemljišnog informacijskog sustava (GIZIS) Karlovačke županije koji je rađen za potrebe razvoja poljoprivrede, a može se koristiti i u ekologiji, prostornom planiranju, vodnom gospodarstvu te u zaštiti i uređenju tala. Na nekoliko primjera prikazuje se mogućnost izrade raznih tematskih karata. Temeljne podatke za izradu geografskog i zemljišnog informacijskog sustava činili su podaci s osnovnih pedoloških karata i topografskih karata Republike Hrvatske mjerila 1:50.000, te podaci iz drugih studija rađenih za potrebe razvoja poljoprivrede na području Županije. Navedeni podaci su zajedno s rezultatima dobivenim obradom i analizom podataka metodom digitalizacije, generalizacije i interpolacije ukomponirani u jedinstvenu bazu podataka geografskog i zemljišnog informacijskog sustava korištenjem softwarea AutoCad, ArcInfo, ArcWiew i Accesa te odgovarajućih hardwarea. GIZIS baza podataka sastoji iz dva dijela. Prvi dio baze podataka čine podaci koji se odnose na poligone- pedološke konture, a drugi dio čine podaci koji se odnose na pedološke profile. Baza je organizirana tako da se mogu izrađivati razne tematske karte, ali isto tako se može koristiti i u digitalnom obliku uz korištenje Arc Wiew programskog paketa, čime se na relativno jednostavan i brzi način mogu dobiti brojne informacije. Podaci uvršteni u bazu predstavljaju osnovu za izradu brojnih tematskih karta raznog mjerila. Kao primjer korištenja GIZIS-a za razvoj poljoprivrede, izrađena je tematska karta pogodnosti zemljišta za povrtlarsku proizvodnju, a temeljem koje je na osnovu inventarizacije površina utvrđeno da na području Županije ima 15 197,6 ha pogodnih tala za povrtlarstvo što predstavlja svega 4.56% ukupne površine tala. Izrađena je i karta sadržaja humusa koja bi trebala predstavljati jednu od polaznih podloga za trajni monitoring kemijske degradacije tala. Treći primjer korištenja GIZIS-a odnosi se na prostorno planiranje u sklopu čega je izrađena bonitetna karta temeljem koje je utvrđeno da je površina I-V bonitetne klase, koje su zakonom zaštićene u smislu da se ne smiju koristiti u nepoljoprivredne svrhe. Dakle, ovim se tlima mora pokloniti odgovarajuća pozornost u smislu zaštite od nekontrolirane i neopravdane prenamjene. U sklopu prikaza mogućnosti korištenja GIZIS-a za uređenje tala, izrađena je tematska karta potreba tla za kalcifikacijom, temeljem koje je moguće utvrditi prostorna rasprostranjenost te površina tala kod kojih postoji potreba za tom agrotehničkom mjerom.Planning of sustainable development and land use requires a lot of reliable and good quality information, which serves as the basis for timely and adequate decision-making. One of the most important forms of information are various maps. Until recently, preparing of such data was, no doubt, a rather complex. At present thanks to first of all, the GIS technology it is possible to develop corresponding geographic information systems with databases which then allow comparatively simple preparing of necessary thematic maps. The paper first presents the method of developing the Geographic and Land Information System (GIZIS) of the Karlovacka County which, although developed for the purpose of agricultural development, may also be used in ecology, environment protection, physical planning, water management and for soil conservation and regulation. Several examples illustrate the possibilities of preparing of specialized maps. The basic data for developing of the geographic and land information system were the data of the Basic Soil Maps and topographic maps of the Republic of Croatia at the scale of 1:50 000 or 1:25 000, and the data from other studies made for the purpose of agricultural development in the area. These data, together with the results of processing and analysis this data, by digitalization, generalization and interpolation, were incorporated into an integrated database of the geographic and land information system by using Microstation, AutoCad, ArcInfo, ArcWiew and Access software and the corresponding hardware. GIZIS database consists of two parts. The first part includes the data referring to polygons - pedological contours, and the other part the data on pedological profiles. The base is organized in a way that enable prepare different thematic maps, but it can be also used in digital form allowing simple and easy access by the ArcWiew program package to all information, either by the base search or by putting questions. The data included in the database are the basis for preparation of numerous specialized thematic maps at various scales. As an example of the use of GIZIS for agricultural development, a thematic map showing soil suitability for vegetable production was made, which, by area inventory shows that in the County there are 15 197.6 ha of soils suitable for vegetable production, which is only 4.56 percent of the total area of soil. As example of the use GIZIS in ecology, a thematic map showing content of humus was made, which should be performing as one of the starting-point base map for permanently monitoring chemical degradation of soil. The third example of the use of GIZIS is in physical planning, where the land classification map was made, defining soils of classes 1 through 5, which are protected by the law from being used for non-agricultural purposes. Such soils comprise the area of 189 057.0 ha, which is 56.79 percent of the total area. Thus, these soils must be paid proper attention and protected from uncontrolled and unjustified use for purposes other than agriculture. Other examples of the use of GIZIS is in land conservation and development. The specialized map was made showing the requirements for liming, which allows determining the distribution and areas of soils that require this agrotechnical measur

3D Soil Hydraulic Database of Europe at 250 m resolution

Soil hydraulic properties are required in various modelling schemes. We propose a consistent spatial soil hydraulic database at 7 soil depths up to 2 m calculated for Europe based on SoilGrids250m and 1 km datasets and pedotransfer functions trained on the European Hydropedological Data Inventory. Saturated water content, water content at field capacity and wilting point, saturated hydraulic conductivity and Mualem-van Genuchten parameters for the description of the moisture retention, and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity curves have been predicted. The derived 3D soil hydraulic layers (EU-SoilHydroGrids ver1.0) can be used for environmental modelling purposes at catchment or continental scale in Europe. Currently, only EU-SoilHydroGrids provides information on the most frequently required soil hydraulic properties with full European coverage up to 2 m depth at 250 m resolution