Applying Habitat Suitability Modelling to identify the distribution of a long distance avian migrant, the white stork, in the eastern sahelian.

Habitat suitability models (HSMs) are widely used to assess the spatial distribution of animal species. Here, monthly HSMs were used to map the potential distribution of the white stork in the Eastern Sahelian and to identify its main drivers. Furthermore, possible changes in the potential distribution introduced by climate change are assessed. Animal tracking data and satellite data were used as data source. The presented approach can serve as an efficient way to protect species under climate change or in remote areas.