NaturePrint Habitat Distribution Models and Habitat Importance Models Evidence-based decision making is All plants and animals have environmental requirements and preferences that influence where they are found. critical to improving outcomes for These include the location of vital resources (i.e. food, biodiversity. Models have been shelter, nutrients), the occurrence of species they interact with, and how much they tolerate variation in developed to estimate the these and other environmental factors. Species can vary distribution of habitat for thousands substantially in terms of their resource requirements and their ability to adapt to different environments. of Victorian flora and fauna Therefore, some species occur only in very specific species, and are used to guide habitat, whilst others can tolerate and thrive in a wide range of habitats. investment, management and regulatory decisions. Habitat Distribution Models Habitat models To appropriately inform land-use planning and biodiversity conservation effort, we need to know where different species might occur. Habitat Distribution Models (HDMs) are one of the NaturePrint tools that can help with this. HDMs collect and compare information on NaturePrint where a species has been recorded, and relate that data to environmental variables, such as soil, prevailing NaturePrint is a of decision-support climate and topography. Sophisticated statistical and products and tools designed to help us mathematical processes are then used to estimate the make choices about what actions to take, distribution of a species’ habitat. and in which places, to protect Victoria’s The information provided by HDMs is incredibly useful. It environment and plan for the future. The can help guide planning for activities such as timber tools currently include: harvesting operations, fire management, conservation reserve management, infrastructure development, Habitat Distribution and Importance use planning, invasive species management and more. HDMs can also direct survey effort where knowledge Models gaps exist. Threat and Benefit of Action Models* The HDMs do not predict whether or not a species Strategic Biodiversity Values currently occurs in the habitat at a particular location. Many factors can influence whether a species is present Strategic Management Prospects* in the habitat at any given time, including: *currently focused on terrestrial environment biogeography Further information about NaturePrint, including information sheets, is available at . NaturePrint products can be viewed using NatureKit the department's online – biodiversity mapping and reporting tool: .
NaturePrint Habitat Distribution Models and Habitat Importance Models Evidence-based decision making is critical to improving outcomes for biodiversity. Models have been developed to estimate the distribution of habitat for thousands of Victorian flora and fauna species, and are used to guide investment, management and regulatory decisions. Habitat models NaturePrint NaturePrint is a of decision-support products and tools designed to help us make choices about what actions to take, and in which places, to protect Victoria’s environment and plan for the future. The tools currently include: Habitat Distribution and Importance Models Threat and Benefit of Action Models* Strategic Biodiversity Values Strategic Management Prospects* *currently focused on terrestrial environment Further information about NaturePrint, including information sheets, is available at . NaturePrint products can be viewed using NatureKit – the department's online biodiversity mapping and reporting tool: . All plants and animals have environmental requirements and preferences that influence where they are found. These include the location of vital resources (i.e. food, shelter, nutrients), the occurrence of species they interact with, and how much they tolerate variation in these and other environmental factors. Species can vary substantially in terms of their resource requirements and their ability to adapt to different environments. Therefore, some species occur only in very specific habitat, whilst others can tolerate and thrive in a wide range of habitats. Habitat Distribution Models To appropriately inform land-use planning and biodiversity conservation effort, we need to know where different species might occur. Habitat Distribution Models (HDMs) are one of the NaturePrint tools that can help with this. HDMs collect and compare information on where a species has been recorded, and relate that data to environmental variables, such as soil, prevailing climate and topography. Sophisticated statistical and mathematical processes are then used to estimate the distribution of a species’ habitat. The information provided by HDMs is incredibly useful. It can help guide planning for activities such as timber harvesting operations, fire management, conservation reserve management, infrastructure development, planning, invasive species management and more. HDMs can also direct survey effort where knowledge gaps exist. The HDMs do not predict whether or not a species currently occurs in the habitat at a particular location. Many factors can influence whether a species is present in the habitat at any given time, including: biogeography use