Akaike model selections of the vegetation structures and aerosphere factors in supporting lesser short nosed fruit bat (Cynopterus brachyotis Muller, 1838) populations in Asia mountainous paddy fields

Abstract

As an aerial and arboreal fauna, the abundances and populations of fruit bat Cynopterus brachyotis were influenced by the vegetation structures and aerosphere condition variables of fruit bat ecosystems. While mountaineous paddy field is an unique habitat since the trees are scarce and has exposure to the aerosphere variables including air temperature and humidity. Here this paper aims to select the best vegetation structures and aerosphere factors that support the abundance of C. brachyotis in mountainous paddy field landscape in West Java. The model selection was using AIC methodology by testing 15 models including 5 single models and 10 combination models of explanatory variables. Based on the model, tree height and combinations of tree height and elevation produced the best prediction for the bat abundances, as described by low values of AIC and the highest values of R2 and adjusted R2. For the best models, the AIC values ranged from 16.674 to 17.603, from 0.3404 to 0.4144 (R2), and 0.2461 to 0.2192 for adjusted R2. Regarding conservation of C. brachyotis and learning from the model, the conservation approaches mainly in mountainous paddy fields are encouraged to protect and conserve high altitude landscapes and trees with height > 10 m. Whereas the AIC results show lack of aerosphere variable effects on C. brachyotis (AIC: 19.346-20.406, R2: 0.1124-0.001353, and adjusted R2: −0.01444 − −0.1413).