Reduced complexity models for regional aquatic habitat suitability assessment

摘要

Generalizable methods that identify suitable aquatic habitat across large river basinsand regions are needed to inform resource management. Habitat suitability modelsintersect environmental variables to predict species occurrence, but are often dataintensive and thus are typically developed at small spatial scales. This study estimatedmean monthly aquatic habitat suitability throughout Utah (USA) for BonnevilleCutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii utah) and Bluehead Sucker (Catostomus discobolus)with publicly available, geospatial datasets. We evaluated 15 habitat suitabilitymodels using unique combinations of percent of mean annual discharge, velocity, gradient,and stream temperature. Environmental variables were validated with observedconditions and species presence observations to verify habitat suitability estimates.Stream temperature, gradient, and discharge best predicted Bonneville CutthroatTrout presence, and gradient and discharge best predicted Bluehead Sucker presence.Simple aquatic habitat suitability models outperformed models that used only streamflowto estimate habitat for both species, and are useful for conservation planningand water resources decision-making.This modeling approach could enable resourcemanagers to prioritize stream restoration across vast regions within their managementdomain, and is potentially compatible with water management modeling to improveecological objectives in management models.