Maximum Entropy Analysis of Bird Diversity and Environmental Variables in Nanjing Megapolis, China

Abstract

Against the background of global climate change and urbanization, the biodiversity of birds is facing unprecedented threats. In this paper, taking the Nanjing megapolis as an example, based on the distribution sites of 79 bird species and 17 environmental variables, the MaxEnt model was used to simulate the distribution of bird diversity, and the most important environmental variables were analyzed. The results show that (1) the MaxEnt model is suitable for simulation of the potential distribution of bird diversity in the Nanjing megapolis; (2) the areas with the highest bird diversity in the Nanjing megapolis were mainly distributed in the mountains and hills where the forests are located; (3) the five most important environmental variables affecting bird distribution were ranked as maximum temperature of the warmest month (MTWM) > Digital Elevation Model (DEM) > precipitation of the wettest month (PWM) > distance to the nearest forest (DF) > Fractional Vegetation Cover index (FVC), with MTWM, PWM, and DF being negatively correlated with bird diversity, whereas FVC and DEM exhibited positive correlations with bird diversity; and (4) the contribution rates of the three types of environmental variables were ranked as follows: habitat environmental variables > meteorological environmental variables > disturbance environmental variables. Sufficient bird habitats should be maintained in cities, and disturbances from human activities should be reduced to achieve the harmonious coexistence of humans and animals in the context of climate change and urbanization, thereby promoting sustainable development.