Reptiles in Souss-Massa National Park: Diversity, habitat suitability and ecological niche modelling
Elbahi, Abderrafea
Elbahi, Abderrafea
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Publication Date
2024-02-08
Type
Thesis
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Abstract
The reptiles of Souss-Massa National Park (SMNP) hold great ecological value, yet remain relatively understudied. This thesis aims to advance our knowledge of reptiles and generate conservation-related data. The thesis's first study assessed reptile biodiversity in SMNP, resulting in an inventory of 23 species, including 4 endemics and 7 species of conservation concern (vulnerable and near-threatened species). The non-parametric estimators predicted a maximum of 25 species. The sampling effort and inventory completeness indicated a likely complete inventory. SMNP is a key biodiversity hotspot, hosting ~20% of Morocco's reptile species (16% of endemics). The second study utilised Geographic Information System techniques, remote sensing and field data to classify and map SMNP habitat types. The study reveals 11 undisturbed habitat classes (70.91%) and 6 disturbed habitat classes (29.09%) within SMNP. Fencing proved effective for conservation, with fenced areas dominated by undisturbed habitats, and unfenced areas containing more disturbed habitats. The third study assessed reptile response to anthropogenic habitat degradation. Reptile community variables were compared among 4 habitat categories with varying degradation degrees. Species richness, diversity and abundance differed significantly across habitat categories, with the most degraded areas having the lowest means. Species composition varied significantly among habitat categories, with highly degraded areas showing the lowest similarity when compared to other categories. Reptiles responded differently to degradation, indicating species-specific impacts. Vegetation cover reduction, as indicated by the calculated vegetation index means, increased with habitat degradation. Therefore, responses to degradation may be influenced by factors associated with natural vegetation (food availability, microhabitat preferences, interactions with other species…). The fourth study used MaxEnt modelling to map habitat suitability for reptiles in SMNP, analysing the influence of environmental variables on species distribution and identifying areas with high predicted species richness. Habitat type, which includes undisturbed and disturbed habitats, is the most influential environmental variable for the majority of species (75%). Acanthodactylus margaritae has the widest distribution of suitable areas, while Eumeces algeriensis has the narrowest. Agama bibronii and Saurodactylus brosseti have highly similar ecological niches (92% similarity), while Saurodactylus brosseti and Chalcides sphenopsiformis have the least similarity (33% maximum). In terms of species richness, fenced reserves have a higher composition of highly diverse areas compared to unfenced areas. Additionally, disturbed habitats show lower species diversity than undisturbed habitats, indicating the negative impact of habitat disturbance on reptiles. Therefore, conservation attention is required outside fenc
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NUI Galway