Long term (1985–2018) changes of the habitat suitability of European souslik assessed by Maxent modelling based on Landsat satellite imagery – a case study from a mountain landscape of Central Bulgaria

Abstract

The spatial and temporal aspects of the habitat suitability of the European souslik (Spermophilus citellus L.) in an area of Sredna Gora Mountain (Bulgaria) were studied. We used Landsat satellite imagery data to model changes in the habitat suitability of the species from 1985 to 2018. The obtained results demonstrate that the habitat suitability of the European souslik increased during the studied period, presumably due to raised temperatures and the accompanying drought during summertime, as well as the human-caused modifications in pasture livestock breeding. Based on statistical modelling, the employed procedure applies to long-term monitoring and assessment of the role of land cover change because of climate change and human activity on the habitat suitability of the European souslik. This approach can be useful for conservation planning.