Abstract:Ecological-Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA) is a multivariable approach based on the concept of the ecological niche. But when computing the relevance between variables by covariance, it only handles linear dependencies, while most is nonlinear interaction. Mutual information measures the interdependence between variables and it's not limited to linear relations. ENFA based on mutual information (MIENFA) is presented which uses mutual information as the relevance. Through studies of Bar-headed Goose in Qinghai Lake, compared with the traditional ENFA, the proposed approach changes the specialization vector and improves the accurate rate of habitat suitability prediction.