Habitat suitability and range mapping of the Philippine endemic Tectona philippinensis for spatial conservation
摘要
Spatial information on the range of species lies at the core of effective biodiversity management. We implement a framework to assess the distribution of Tectona philippinensis, an endangered Philippine tree with a narrow distribution and dwindling population from anthropogenic exploitation. Our methodology applied maximum entropy modeling in conjunction with standard range estimation metrics through extent of occurrence (EOO) & area of occupancy (AOO) to assess its current distribution and spatially prioritize cultivation regions. After implementing principal component analysis to distill 44 environmental descriptors, habitat suitability was modeled using 27 occurrences. The model showed acceptable performance (AUC = 0.947, TSS = 0.63) and predicted highly suitable areas within the EOO concentrated in Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, and Calapan in the Mindoro islands. Bioclimatic factors had a profound influence on predictions, with marginal contributions from edaphic, topographic, and anthropogenic variables. Range estimates also show a decrease in EOO but an increase in AOO from the previous conservation assessment. While conservation of remnants should take precedence, this study indicates potential sites that could be useful when exploring ex-situ conservation avenues. Additionally, the need to strengthen forest management is emphasized, as its suitable geographic space remains limited in the present scenario.