Multi-hierarchical modeling of species potential distribution and selection of environmental filters of invasive species in São Paulo

• Grant number: 11/05930-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: December 01, 2011
• End date: February 28, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Giselda Durigan
• Grantee: Augusto Hashimoto de Mendonça
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 13/25466-2 - Evaluation of niche conservatism of invasive species in the State of São Paulo, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Invasive species are considered a major cause of biodiversity loss and responsible for considerable economic losses in order to various segments. Despite the negative impacts, few efforts was made to understand and to predict the process of invasion by terrestrial plants in Brazil. Models of potential distribution of species allow to answers important issues and to elucidate the ecological theory of invasion, which would more effectively guide conservation action. In order to explore the potential of predictive modeling, the main objective of this study will be to identify the role of ecological filters working at macro and meso-scale on non-native invasive plant species in the state of São Paulo, through the implementation and evaluation of modeling techniques of multi-hierarchical species potential distribution. For constructing the models, will be sampled at least 600 points of occurrence of species systematically distributed in different ecological regions of the state of Sao Paulo and selected climatic predictors operating on larger scales and environmental working on a smaller scale, representing ecological filters and barriers that should be analyzed. The proposed research aims to contribute to understanding the process of invasion by non-native species in the state of São Paulo by identifying environmental barriers acting on the selected species observed on different scales. By incorporating environmental predictors representing environmental filters on a smaller scale is expected to produce more accurate maps of distribution of invasive species, leading to optimize actions and to guide more efficient conservation policies in the state of São Paulo. This project will be implemented in partnership with the Computing Bioinspired Laboratory of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science at USP.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

MENDONÇA, Augusto Hashimoto de. Multi-hierarchical approach of potential species distribution modeling and selection of environmental filters of invasive species in the State of São Paulo. 2015. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD) São Carlos.