What kind of models/techniques can be used with GIS spatial analysis in order to determine habitat suitability for a species that is not (widely) present in a certain region? For my bachelor honours thesis I want to determine whether the otter could establish a viable population at a specific site. Although there has been multiple sightings through the years in this park (250,000ha), there is not a stablished population yet. The otter population is increasing steadily around in neighbouring states and recolonisation is highly likely. I have identified a set of conditions that must be fulfilled (distance to roads, forest and waterbody density, population density nearby, etc), and I want to determine if this site fulfils the criteria or whether the area would not be suitable for dispersal. Also if the suitable sites are identified as patches I want to determine the connectivity and whether passages need to be built at specific locations.

I find that habitat suitability models and tools such as MaxEnt require data about the species distribution. I am wondering whether there is a tool that could be used to predict habitat suitability in this manner or am I limited to basic spatial analysis in GIS?

I really appreciate your help, due to COVID-19 I see myself being forced to work with modelling and probably software that I am not fluent with instead of more practical lab work that I am used to.