Relative Importance of Environmental Predictors
The most crucial factors in predicting distribution in all species
across all model types were precipitation of the warmest quarter
(bio18), precipitation of the driest month (bio14), and precipitation of
the coldest quarter (bio19), with species-specific differences in
relative significance. For Secretary bird and Southern ground hornbill,
Precipitation of the driest month (bio14) and precipitation of the
coldest quarter (bio19) were the most significant predictors whereas
Bateleur, Martial Eagle, and Steppe Eagle were best predicted by;
precipitation of the warmest quarter (bio18) and precipitation of the
driest month (bio14). The annual temperature range (bio7) and mean
temperature of the driest quarter (bio9) were found to be the best
predictors of temperature variables that affect the distribution of
raptor species (Fig. 4).