Using digitized herbarium specimens to predict potential distributions of Tennessee's historical angiosperm species

Species distribution models (SDMs) have become an essential tool in focusing conservation efforts for species with incomplete distribution records. SDMs enable conservation managers to increase field survey efficiency by prioritizing areas to invest time and financial resources. This application is invaluable for historical species which remain suspended between extant and extirpated, having not been documented in many years, but lack sufficient evidence to be determined extirpated. Identifying suitable habitat and previously unknown locations for species of conservation-concern has historically represented an overwhelming and often impractical task, however the development of model-based sampling approaches has made this task more feasible. Here, SDMs are trained using digitized herbarium specimens to identify suitable habitat and therefore, the potential distribution of 16 historical plant species in Tennessee. The ultimate goal of this work is to provide conservation managers with an effective tool for guiding sampling strategies, enabling the rediscovery of Tennessee’s lost plant species.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Year dc:date.available

2021

Author dc:creator

• Rylander, Erica

Contributors dc:contributor

• Shaw, Joey
• Aborn, David; Hunt, Nyssa
• College of Arts and Sciences

• Angiosperms -- Geographical distribution
• Plant conservation
• Rare plants

Licence

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language

English, eng

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/642

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.utc.edu:theses-1799