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Prediction of Potential Habitat for Korean Endemic Firefly, Luciola unmunsana Doi, 1931 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), Using Species Distribution Models

Author

Listed:
  • ByeongJun Jung

    (Department of Forest Sciences and Landscape Architecture, Wonkwang University, Iksan 54538, Republic of Korea)

  • JuYeong Youn

    (Department of Forest Sciences and Landscape Architecture, Wonkwang University, Iksan 54538, Republic of Korea)

  • SangWook Kim

    (Department of Forest Sciences and Landscape Architecture, Wonkwang University, Iksan 54538, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

This study aimed to predict the potential habitats of Luciola unmunsana using a species distribution model (SDM) . Luciola unmunsana is an endemic species that lives only in South Korea, and because its females do not have genus wings and are less fluid, it is difficult to collect, so research related to its distribution and restoration is relatively understudied. Therefore, this study predicted the potential habitats of Luciola unmunsana across South Korea using the single model Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) and a multi-model ensemble model to prepare basic data necessary for a conservation and habitat restoration plan for the species. A total of 39 points of occurrence were built based on public data and prior research from the Jeonbuk Green Environment Support Center (JGESC), the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), and the National Institute of Biological Resources (NIBR). Among the input variables, climate variables were based on the shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) scenario-based ecological climate index, while nonclimate variables were based on topography, land cover maps, and the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI). The main findings of this study are summarized below. First, in predicting Luciola unmunsana potential habitats, the EVI, water network analysis, land cover, and annual precipitation (Bio12) were identified as good predictors in both models. Accordingly, areas with high vegetation activity in their forests, adjacent to water resources, and stable humidity were predicted as potential habitats. Second, by overlaying the predicted potential habitats and highly significant variables, we found that areas with high vegetation vigor within their forests, proximity to water systems, and relatively high annual precipitation, which can maintain stable humidity, are potential habitats for Luciola unmunsana . Third, literature surveys used to predict potential habitat sites, including Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, Yeongam-gun, Jeollabuk-do, Mudeungsan Mountain, Gwangju-si, Korea, and Gijang-gun, Busan-si, Korea, confirmed the occurrence of Luciola unmunsana . This study is significant in that it is the first to develop a regional SDM for Luciola unmunsana , whose population is declining due to urbanization. In addition, by applying various environmental variables that reflect ecological characteristics, it contributes to more accurate predictions of the potential habitats of this species. The predicted results can be used as basic data for the future conservation of Luciola unmunsana and the establishment of habitat restoration strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • ByeongJun Jung & JuYeong Youn & SangWook Kim, 2025. "Prediction of Potential Habitat for Korean Endemic Firefly, Luciola unmunsana Doi, 1931 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), Using Species Distribution Models," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:7:p:1480-:d:1703444
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tae-Su Kim & Kwanik Kwon & Gab-Sue Jang, 2021. "Variations in the Distribution and Genetic Relationships among Luciola unmunsana Populations in South Korea," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Rajendra K. Meena & Maneesh S. Bhandari & Pawan Kumar Thakur & Nitika Negi & Shailesh Pandey & Rama Kant & Rajesh Sharma & Netrananda Sahu & Ram Avtar, 2024. "MaxEnt-Based Potential Distribution Mapping and Range Shift under Future Climatic Scenarios for an Alpine Bamboo Thamnocalamus spathiflorus in Northwestern Himalayas," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-18, June.
    3. Zhao, Xiaohu & Huang, Guohe & Lu, Chen & Zhou, Xiong & Li, Yongping, 2020. "Impacts of climate change on photovoltaic energy potential: A case study of China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    4. David W Redding & Tim C D Lucas & Tim M Blackburn & Kate E Jones, 2017. "Evaluating Bayesian spatial methods for modelling species distributions with clumped and restricted occurrence data," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(11), pages 1-13, November.
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    6. Qianhong Quan & Yijin Wu, 2024. "Integrating Entropy Weight and MaxEnt Models for Ecotourism Suitability Assessment in Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-25, August.
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