Mapping the stray domestic cat (Felis catus) population in New Zealand: species distribution modelling with a climate change scenario and implications for protected areas

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Aguilar, G.D., Farnworth, M.J. ORCID: 0000-0001-6226-0818 and Winder, L., 2015. Mapping the stray domestic cat (Felis catus) population in New Zealand: species distribution modelling with a climate change scenario and implications for protected areas. Applied Geography, 63, pp. 146-154. ISSN 0143-6228

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Official URL: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2015.06.019

Abstract

Species distribution models of stray cats were developed using two types of occurrence data, one using a combined dataset of stray cats and cat colonies in Auckland and projected to the larger New Zealand area and a second based on population density as an analogue for country wide stray cat occurrence. Environmental variables used for running the models consist of current bioclimatic conditions and a future climate scenario (RCP8.5 for year 2070 CCSM model). Commonly occurring bias due to latitude, the background area used to derive points for model evaluation, inherent spatial autocorrelation of occurrence points and correlated bioclimatic variables were addressed before Maxent was used to produce the suitability maps for the models. Results show that the North Island consistently provide more suitable areas for stray cats with increased suitable areas in a high emission climate change condition. The important protected areas at risk from the increased suitability to stray cats are also presented.

Item Type:

Journal article

Publication Title:

Applied Geography

Creators:

Aguilar, G.D., Farnworth, M.J. and Winder, L.

Publisher:

Elsevier

Date:

September 2015

Volume:

ISSN: