Species Distribution Model: A Case Study of Brown Ear Tick (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus) in Kenya.
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Date
2012-07Author
Kirung'o, Martin N
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
A major method for analyzing resource selection of species ,predicting and mapp1l1g habitat
suitability is by use of a Geographic Information System(GIS).This research combines data relating
to Rhipicephalus appendiculatus(Brown Ear Tick) in Kenya with spatially explicit environmental
factors to understand its resource selection and habitat preference using a logistic model as developed
from the generalized linear model(GLM).Resource selection among the brown ear tick was similar in
that across all sub-regions, they selected areas which has similar related factors in terms of the
surrounding. The tick actively avoided at least one source of human threat including human
settlements in all four of the studied regions and inhabited those areas that ecologically favour it.
The Brown Ear Tick (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus) which is a threat to livestock has not been
studied until more recently in Zambia where a sudden and severe outbreak of Brown Ear Tick in the
Central and Eastern areas of Zambia was reported. In Kenya its effect and spatial occurrence has not
been understood. Resource selection analyses such as the one conducted in this study could help with
planning of proper conservation if need be, prevention corridors for diseases control and
manifestation in new areas especially as threats to livestock and wildlife increases.
In addition, a GIS was used to construct an expert-based habitat suitability map for the brown ear tick
across Kenya using a spatial model approach. The map integrates spatial information on biological
habitat requirements of the species with information on severity of threats to its prey. This can serve
as a useful tool for determining future brown ear tick prevention prioritization in Kenya.
Sponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
School of mathematics