Application of the Gini Index on the Evaluation of the Environmental Heterogeneity and Habitat Suitability Index for Larval Gobies

Spatial environmental heterogeneity in the Yangtze River Estuary (YRE) is always mentioned but rarely quantified and included evaluation process. This study introduced habitat suitability index model based on Gini (HSIgini) to evaluate optimal ranges of suitable factors for three typical estuarine gobies, i.e., Rhinogobius giurinus, Acentrogobius pflaumii, Odontamblyopus rubicundus, their quality. The was carried out field surveys conducted spring summer 2018–2020. Lorentz curve were used spatial heterogeneities YRE. ranged from 0.62 0.05, with highest salinity lowest temperature. combination had significant effects habitat, temperature showing mainly seasonal effects. indicated that YRE a good gobies there differentiation habitats different species, greatly reducing interspecific competition. Environmental important biological processes should be incorporated into modeling bio–environmental relationships future research provide basis conservation management.