Development of a GIS-based habitat suitability model for wild boar Sus scrofa in the Mt. Baekwoonsan region, Korea

Abstract

We developed a habitat suitability model for wild boar Sus scrofa in the Mt. Baekwoonsan region of Korea. We recorded wild boar field signs (dust baths, bedding sites, digging areas, feces and tracks) and habitat variables such as the nearest distance to watercourses (DWATER) and trails (DTRAIL), slope, aspect (ASPECT), forest type and forest age. Field signs and habitat characteristics were assessed within a 25 × 25 m quadrat along seven survey routes from August 1999 to July 2000. We conducted a CATMOD regression analysis based on 416 field signs at 50 points and classified them into 3 levels of habitat importance (high, medium and low) based on the relative importance of field signs. Habitat suitability indices (P) were calculated based on significant relationships between parameters such as DWATER, DTRAIL and ASPECT resulting in the following function: P = 1/(1 + exp – (3.82 × (DWATER) – 1.21 × (DTRAIL) + 1.35 × (ASPECT))). Important habitats of wild boar were distributed near watercourses and far from trails along east and south-facing slopes.