Cherix Daniel

Analysis of the distribution of three species of wood ants in the Swiss National Park: predictive model for alpine areas

Project Number: CH-1785

Project Type:	Master
Project Duration:	01/01/2001 - 09/30/2001 project completed
Funding Source:	Canton ,
Project Leader:	Prof. Daniel Cherix Département d'Ecologie et d'Evolution Université de Lausanne Bâtiment de Biophore 1015 Lausanne Phone: +41 (0) 21 692 41 87 ; +41 (0) 21 692 42 60 FAX: +41 (0) 21 692 42 65 e-Mail: daniel.cherix(at)unil.ch http://www.unil.ch/dee

related to this project.

for which the project has a relevance.

Research Areas:

Biodiversity

Disciplines:

zoology
general biology

Keywords:
Formica lugubris, Formica paralugubris, Formica aquilonia, alpine, distribution, model, innvertebrates
biodiversity

Abstract:
The aim of this project is to re-interpret and validate the data collected by Devenoges (1999) in the Swiss National Park concerning the distribution of three species of wood ants: Formica lugubris, Formica paralugubris and Formica aquilonia. An exhaustive sampling was carried out on a 20 m wide strip on each side of the trails. These observations indicated some tendencies in the ecological preferences of the three species.
Our purpose is to calibrate a predictive model of the distribution of each species. Nowadays we can profit from very performing tools such as the Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which coupled with statistics programs, can help us to model the spatial distribution of the species and create maps of potential distribution. During summer 2001 we will sample a number of surfaces outside the trails in order to make an evaluation of the model.
With these results we will be able to know if sampling along the trails (i.e. following the Park regulations) gives us a good picture of the entire Park, and if our model could be applied to other areas in the Park. If it is so, we could test the model in other protected areas and also in the entire Alpine Area.
We know that wood ants are important bioindicators of the quality of forest biotopes, and the National Park gives us the opportunity to study their ecology without anthropogenic pressure. In doing a map of the potential habitats for these species, we can predict the populations evolution in the park and propose some forest management and exploitation measures outside the park.


Publications:
Borges A 2001: Sampling along the trails to model the distribution of wood ants in the Swiss National-Park? Master theis University of Lausanne, Institut d`Ecologie


Last update: 12/16/16
Source of data: ProClim- Research InfoSystem (1993-2024)
Update the data of project: CH-1785

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