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SPECIES DISTRIBUTION MODELING OF AMERICAN BEECH (FAGUS GRANDIFOLIA EHRH.) DISTRIBUTION IN SOUTHWESTERN OHIO

Flessner, Brandon P
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1399040680

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Arts, Miami University, Geography.
The ability to predict American beech distribution (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) from environmental data was tested by using a geographic information system (GIS) in tandem with species distribution models (SDMs). The study was conducted in Butler and Preble counties in Ohio, USA. Topography, soils, and disturbance were approximated through 15 predictor variables with presence/absence and basal area serving as the response variables. Using a generalized linear model (GLM) and a boosted regression tree (BRT) model, curvature, elevation, and tasseled cap greenness were shown to be significant predictors of beech presence. Each of these variables was positively related to beech presence. A linear model using presence only data was not effective in predicting basal area due to a small sample size. This study demonstrates that SDMs can be used successfully to advance our understanding of the relationship between tree species presence and environmental factors. Large sample sizes are needed to successfully model continuous variables.
Mary Henry, PhD (Advisor)
David Gorchov, PhD (Committee Member)
Jerry Green, PhD (Committee Member)
65 p.
Botany; Ecology; Forestry; Geography
American beech; Fagus grandifolia; species distribution model; SDM; boosted regression tree; BRT; GIS; geographic information system; predictive modeling; Ohio; generalized linear model; GLM;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Flessner, B. P. (2014). SPECIES DISTRIBUTION MODELING OF AMERICAN BEECH (FAGUS GRANDIFOLIA EHRH.) DISTRIBUTION IN SOUTHWESTERN OHIO [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1399040680

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Flessner, Brandon. SPECIES DISTRIBUTION MODELING OF AMERICAN BEECH (FAGUS GRANDIFOLIA EHRH.) DISTRIBUTION IN SOUTHWESTERN OHIO. 2014. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1399040680.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Flessner, Brandon. "SPECIES DISTRIBUTION MODELING OF AMERICAN BEECH (FAGUS GRANDIFOLIA EHRH.) DISTRIBUTION IN SOUTHWESTERN OHIO." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1399040680

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.