Spatial prediction and validation of zoonotic hazard through micro-habitat properties: where does Puumala hantavirus hole – up?

Table 1 Micro-habitat variables used to predict the presence of all bank voles and infected bank voles in 58 1-ha plots in fall 2003–2013 and to validate the models in an independent area (+) (17 plots in 2007–2010 and 2015)

Variable	Explanation	Measure	Availability in validation data
Shrubs	Shrub layer 0.5–5 m in height	5 graded scale	+
Lholes	All large holes >5 cm in diameter	6 number classes	+
Stoneholes	Only holes under stones	6 number classes	−
FWD	Fine woody debris <10 cm	5 graded scale	+
CWD	Coarse woody debris	Total length	+
Cobbles	Stones between 10 and 50 cm in diameter	5 graded scale	+
Lcobbles	Stones >50 cm in diameter	5 graded scale	−
Uveg	Vegetation cover >50 cm	5 graded scale	+
Flveg	Vegetation in field layer ≤50 cm	5 graded scale	+
Grasses	Grass cover	5 graded scale	+
Lichens	Cover of ground lichens	5 graded scale	+
Mosses	Cover of ground and stone mosses	5 graded scale	+
Bilberry	Cover of bilberry	5 graded scale	+
Lingon	Cover of lingonberry	5 graded scale	+
Spruce	Cover of spruce trees	%	+
Pine	Cover of pine trees	%	+
Birch	Cover of pine trees	%	+
Tl1	Upper tree layer (≥ 5 m)	5 graded scale	+
Tl2	Lower tree layer (< 5 m)	5 graded scale	+

For the independent validation data, data on large cobbles and stone holes was not available (−). See also Additional file 1 for more detailed description of the variables and their estimation

ISSN: 1471-2334