Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Geosciences
Date of Award
8-2024
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
T. Andrew Joyner
Committee Members
William Tollefson, Amy Wahlquist
Abstract
Aedes aegypti is the principal vector for dengue transmission across large areas of the world. Understanding where this critically important vector lives is paramount to preventing the continued expansion of dengue globally. Using 1981-2010 bioclimatic (bioclim) variables, as well as additional environmental variables and elevation data, multiple MaxEnt models were constructed for Ae. aegypti within the South American continent to identify ecologically important variables and areas of persistent high suitability. All models had acceptable AUC scores (> 0.70), indicating accurate model fitting. Annual mean precipitation and temperature were found to be important model variables; however, when added, humidity became the more predictive variable. Elevation had minimal, if any, impact on model construction predictability. When utilizing MaxEnt models, non-traditional climatic variables, i.e., humidity, were significantly more predictive for Ae. aegypti than the standard bioclim variables. Optimal variable selection is critical to understanding current and potential future areas of high transmission risk.
Document Type
Thesis - embargo
Recommended Citation
Beer, Matthew, "A Comparison of MaxEnt Models for Aedes aegypti Species Distribution in South America Utilizing Different Bioclimatic and Environmental Variables" (2024). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 4437. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/4437
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
Included in
Epidemiology Commons, Geographic Information Sciences Commons, Physical and Environmental Geography Commons, Spatial Science Commons