Predicted Heathland Shrub Distributions Across Scotland For Phytophthora Hosts

Scotland's predicted occurrence and abundance maps for three heathland shrub species identified as hosts for Phytophthora pathogens. Models were developed from quadrat vegetation data combined with climate, soil, and deer abundance data using a Bayesian Generalised Mixed Modelling approach. The research was funded by the Scottish Government and involved collaborators from multiple universities and agencies.

Use Cases

• Model Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae disease spread risk using predicted shrub occurrence layers.
• Analyze correlations between shrub abundance predictions and environmental covariates like climate and soil conditions.
• Assess habitat suitability for Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Vaccinium myrtillus, and Vaccinium vitis-idaea across Scottish heathlands.
• Integrate predicted distribution layers with deer abundance data to study herbivore impact on host shrub presence.

Strengths

• Distribution models incorporate multiple data sources: quadrat vegetation, climate, soil, and deer abundance.
• Models were fitted using a Bayesian Generalised Mixed Modelling approach adapted for DOMIN scale input data.
• Research involved collaborators from several authoritative institutions including St Andrews University and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.

Limitations

• The dataset consists of predicted/modeled spatial layers, not direct field observations, which may contain prediction errors.
• Specific spatial resolution, column details, and row counts for the underlying data are not provided.
• The dataset is focused solely on Scotland, limiting applicability to other geographic regions.

Provenance

Source

Environmental Information Data Centre

Collection Method

Models developed from quadrat vegetation data from Scottish Natural Heritage combined with climate, soil, and deer abundance data.

Time Range

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Freshness

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Geography

Scotland