Comparative GIS analysis of habitat preference between two populations of Adder (Vipera berus L.) in Croatia

Jelić Dušan; State Institute for Nature Protection, Trg Mažuranića 5, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia; dusan.jelic@dzzp.hr
Burić Ivona; Croatian Herpetological Society HYLA, Radučka 15, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Koren Toni; Croatian Herpetological Society HYLA, Radučka 15, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Puni tekst:
(Engleski)

Tip članka:
Kongresni sažetak

Sažetak

Because of the Croatia geographical position on the border of continental and alpine biogeographical regions with Mediterranean region, it is also the southern distribution border of Vipera berus Linnaeus 1758 in West and Central Europe. Two separate populations of Vipera berus L. can be distinguished in Croatia: one population is accredited to Vipera berus ssp. bosniensis and one to Vipera berus ssp. berus - Alpine clade. Lowland population of Vipera b. ssp. bosniensis is distributed in continental lowlands and valleys of large rivers (Sava, Drava and Danube), but not going higher than 400 m a.s.l. Mountain population of Vipera berus ssp. berus from Gorski Kotar is distributed in mainly highland forests and meadows from 900 to 1600 m a.s.l.
European distribution of Adder is well shown in the 50×50 km resolution UTM grid map (Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles in Europe), however, according to this map it is absent from a considerable part of Croatia. Based on data from publications, collections and researchers we compiled the 10×10 km UTM grid map of the Adder distribution in Croatia.
Using GIS techniques we compared our 10x10 km UTM grid map with the maps of physical soil types, National habitat types classification, CORINE Land Cover and Croatia climatic data. Data analyses were made by ArcDesktop 9.3 software package.
In all of the maps we compared and analyzed the areas where Adders are present. We determined the ratio of the different soil types, chemical characteristics and land cover in the areas mentioned above. To compare the data we used G-test for statistical analysis where the minimum probability level of P < 0.05 was accepted for all the cases.

Ključne riječi
Vipers, Croatia, habitat, modeling