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| We studied the geographical distribution and habitat suitability of an introduced
ungulate, the aoudad (
Ammotragus lervia
), that is currently expanding its range in
south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. We assessed the niche of the species using Ecological
Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA) on (1) environmental variables (climate and habitat
type), and (2) potential aoudad landscape avoidance and human disturbance variables.
We compared both niche descriptions to study the impact of human interference on
niche selection of the species. ENFA models were calibrated using data on the population
expanded from the original release location, in Sierra Espuña mountains, and
validated using data from another free-ranging population, originated independently
in the Alicante province. The habitat suitability model for the purely environmental
niche predicts a potential distribution along a SW–NE axis in the study area, following
the Cordillera Sub-Bética mountain range, being constrained by low winter precipitation,
high altitude, high terrain slope, and the presence of forest. In addition to
these ecological traits, roads and landscape use restricted the environmental range
potentially available for the species. Since the aoudad is a potential competitor of
native ungulates and a threat to endemic flora, prospects for its potential dispersion
might be of great conservation value. | |
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