Data from: Assessing Catharus bicknelli (Bicknell’s Thrush) habitat dynamics: A high-resolution model based on LiDAR metrics
Data files
Jun 24, 2025 version files 2 MB
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BITH_Threshold_2025.zip
2 MB
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README.md
1.81 KB
Abstract
Assessing species occurrences can be challenging due to issues such as species detectability and difficulties in accessing habitats for surveys. These limitations hinder the ability to adequately inform conservation or management decisions, particularly for cryptic species, which can be partially addressed with high-resolution, spatially explicit models. However, high-resolution, spatially explicit models projecting species can help resolve these challenges. We modeled the probability of occurrence of Catharus bicknelli (Bicknell’s Thrush), a globally vulnerable species, in southern Québec (Canada) using LiDAR-derived metrics. The model was calibrated with 139 occurrences (with 10-m spatial accuracy), each paired with 10 random locations within a 523-1,569 m buffer, and validated with an independent dataset of 3,928 point counts. Based on model output, we applied two statistical thresholds to guide decision-making. The probability of occurrence of the species was highest in dense, low-canopy balsam fir stands at high elevation. The top-ranked model also included forest succession, with an adjustment to canopy height to account for tree growth since the LiDAR data were acquired. This modelling approach provides a valuable tool for tracking the spatio-temporal dynamics of Catharus bicknelli (Bicknell’s Thrush) habitat and informing more effective conservation strategies for this species at risk in Canada.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.m0cfxppgc
Description of the data and file structure
File: BITH_Threshold_2025.zip
Description: Shapefile of the statistical thresholds from the LiDAR model on the probability of habitat occupancy of the Bicknell's Thrush
We provide the shapefile of the model (BITH_Threshold_2024.shp) on the probability of occurrence of Bicknell’s Thrush (Catharus bicknelli) in the massif de la Jacques-Cartier in southern Québec (Canada) using LiDAR-derived metrics and the R script (R_script_Tremblay-et-al-2025.R for for bird habitat modeling). This model was calibrated with 139 occurrences (with 10-m spatial accuracy), each paired with 10 random locations within a 523-1,569 m buffer, and validated with an independent dataset of 3,928 point counts. Based on model output, we applied two statistical thresholds to guide decision making, included in this shapefile. The probability of occurrence of the species was highest in dense, low-canopy balsam fir stands at high elevation. The shapefile included an adjustment for the year 2024, to the canopy height to account for tree growth since the LiDAR data were acquired.
The field "Threshold" provides the two statistical thresholds:
- "Protection" where specificity was set to 0.95
-"Mitigation" which balanced specificity and sensibility at 0.80.
Note: The shapefile of the model output poses no risks to the Bicknell’s Thrush as only the probability of occurrence of the species is provided, no real locations.
Refer to Tremblay et al. (2025) for further details (https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithapp/duaf040).