A multi-level analysis of the relationship between environmental factors and questing Ixodes ricinus dynamics in Belgium

Table 4 Relative importance of variables (Sum of Akaike weights >0.1) in above-average models

Level	Variable	Sum of Akaike weights
Key determinants to nymph abundance:
Sampling level	Daily relative humidity (sampling day)	0.56
	Daily wind speed (7 previous days mean)	0.31
	Daily maximum temperature (sampling day)	0.16
Site level	Euclidean mean nearest-neighbour distance (r^a = 500 m)	0.99
	Area-weighted mean forest shape index (r = 1500 m)	0.70
	Area-weighted mean patch fractal dimension (r = 1500 m)	0.24
Key determinants to adult abundance:
Sampling level	Daily wind speed (7 previous days mean)	0.77
Site level	Area-weighted mean patch fractal dimension (r = 1500 m)	0.84
	Forest edge density (r = 1500 m)	0.34
	Euclidean mean nearest-neighbour distance (r = 1500 m)	0.22
	Proportion of broad-leaved forest (r = 1500 m)	0.13
	Forest edge density (r = 1000 m)	0.11