New paper, ‘A machine learning approach to managing game bird introductions’, has been accepted and published in PeerJ Life & Environment. This study examines the challenge of introducing game‐bird species into new environments (e.g., for hunting or conservation), and ask: Do site-level factors predict whether an introduction will succeed or fail?
The study applied machine learning models to a dataset of historical game bird introductions to identify which factors best predict establishment success. By incorporating species traits, release effort, and environmental variables, we found that site-level factors such as habitat suitability and climate were far more important than propagule pressure (number of individuals released) in determining outcomes. These results suggest that successful introductions depend more on choosing ecologically compatible locations than on the scale of release efforts. The findings have practical implications for wildlife managers, emphasizing that predictive modeling and habitat assessments can guide more effective and resource-efficient introduction and conservation strategies.
My dissertation, titled “Species Distribution Modeling with Environmental Time Series Data and Deep Learning”, is official published and ready to read! Completing this (and the whole Ph.D. experience) is arguably one of the greatest achievements I’ve done and I’m very proud of the outcome. I hope it provides insight to whomever read it…enjoy!
License Copyright 2018-present Austin M. Smith .
Released under the MIT license.
I had the privilege of introducing Sal, the resident crested caracara (Caracara plancus) and teaching ambassador of the Bird of Prey aviary at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St. Petersburg, FL to local news network, Bay News 9. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is a 245-acre, award-winning property that offers six miles of trails and boardwalks through a variety of habitats. These include hardwood hammocks, sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, willow marsh, swamp woodlands, and lakeshores. As a designated preserve, it serves as a sanctuary for local flora and fauna, providing critical habitat for diverse species. The session can be found here (date: 2023-09-14)
License Copyright 2018-present Austin M. Smith .
Released under the MIT license.