Data Integration for Large-Scale Models of Species Distributions

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 35(1), P. 56 - 67

Published: Nov. 2, 2019

With the expansion in quantity and types of biodiversity data being collected, there is a need to find ways combine these different sources provide cohesive summaries species' potential realized distributions space time. Recently, model-based integration has emerged as means achieve this by combining datasets that retain strengths each. We describe flexible approach using point process models, which convenient way translate across ecological currencies. highlight recent examples large-scale models based on outline conceptual technical challenges opportunities arise.

Language: Английский

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Outstanding challenges and future directions for biodiversity monitoring using citizen science data

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 14(1), P. 103 - 116

Published: Feb. 20, 2022

Abstract There is increasing availability and use of unstructured semi‐structured citizen science data in biodiversity research conservation. This expansion a rich source ‘big data’ has sparked numerous directions, driving the development analytical approaches that account for complex observation processes these datasets. We review outstanding challenges analysis monitoring. For many challenges, potential impact on ecological inference unknown. Further can document explore ways to address it. In addition outlining describing may be useful considering design future projects or additions existing projects. outline monitoring using four partially overlapping categories: arise as result (a) observer behaviour; (b) structures; (c) statistical models; (d) communication. Potential solutions are combinations of: collecting additional metadata; analytically combining different datasets; developing refining models. While there been important progress develop methods tackle most remain substantial gains subsequent conservation actions we believe will possible by further areas. The degree challenge opportunity each presents varies substantially across datasets, taxa questions. some cases, route forward clear, while other cases more scope exploration creativity.

Language: Английский

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Trends and gaps in the use of citizen science derived data as input for species distribution models: A quantitative review

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 16(3), P. e0234587 - e0234587

Published: March 11, 2021

Citizen science (CS) currently refers to the participation of non-scientist volunteers in any discipline conventional scientific research. Over last two decades, nature-based CS has flourished due innovative technology, novel devices, and widespread digital platforms used collect classify species occurrence data. For scientists, offers a low-cost approach collecting information at large spatial scales that otherwise would be prohibitively expensive. We examined trends gaps linked use as source data for distribution models (SDMs), order propose guidelines highlight solutions. conducted quantitative literature review 207 peer-reviewed articles measure how representation different taxa, regions, types have changed SDM publications since 2010s. Our shows number papers using SDMs increased approximately double rate overall papers. However, disparities taxonomic geographic coverage remain studies CS. Western Europe North America were regions with most (73%). Papers on birds (49%) mammals (19.3%) outnumbered other taxa. Among invertebrates, flying insects including Lepidoptera, Odonata Hymenoptera received attention. Discrepancies between research interest availability especially important amphibians, reptiles fishes. Compared animal plants rare. Although aims scope are diverse, conservation remained central theme present examples recommendations motivate further research, such combining multiple sources promoting local traditional knowledge. hope our findings will strengthen citizen-researchers partnerships better inform SDMs, less-studied taxa regions. Researchers stand benefit from quantity available improve global predictions distributions.

Language: Английский

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Different facets of the same niche: Integrating citizen science and scientific survey data to predict biological invasion risk under multiple global change drivers

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(19), P. 5509 - 5523

Published: Aug. 7, 2023

Abstract Citizen science initiatives have been increasingly used by researchers as a source of occurrence data to model the distribution alien species. Since citizen presence‐only suffer from some fundamental issues, efforts made combine these with those provided scientifically structured surveys. Surprisingly, only few studies proposing integration evaluated contribution this process effective sampling species' environmental niches and, consequently, its effect on predictions new time intervals. We relied niche overlap analyses, machine learning classification algorithms and ecological models compare ability scientific surveys, along their integration, in capturing realized 13 invasive species Italy. Moreover, we assessed differences current future invasion risk predicted each set under multiple global change scenarios. showed that surveys captured similar though highlighting exclusive portions associated clearly identifiable conditions. In terrestrial species, granted highest gain space pooled niches, determining an increased biological risk. A aquatic modelled at regional scale reported net loss compared survey suggesting may also lead contraction niches. For lower These findings indicate represent valuable predicting spread especially within national‐scale programmes. At same time, collected poorly known scientists, or strictly local contexts, strongly affect quantification taxa prediction

Language: Английский

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Top ten hazards to avoid when modeling species distributions: a didactic guide of assumptions, problems, and recommendations

Ecography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2024(4)

Published: Jan. 31, 2024

Species distribution models, also known as ecological niche models or habitat suitability have become commonplace for addressing fundamental and applied biodiversity questions. Although the field has progressed rapidly regarding theory implementation, key assumptions are still frequently violated recommendations inadvertently overlooked. This leads to poor being published used in real‐world applications. In a structured, didactic treatment, we summarize what our view constitute ten most problematic issues, hazards, negatively affecting implementation of correlative approaches species modeling (specifically those that model by comparing environments species' occurrence records with background pseudoabsence sample). For each hazard, state relevant assumptions, detail problems arise when violating them, convey straightforward existing recommendations. We discuss five major outstanding questions active current research. hope this contribution will promote more rigorous these valuable stimulate further advancements.

Language: Английский

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Quantifying 25 years of disease‐caused declines in Tasmanian devil populations: host density drives spatial pathogen spread

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 24(5), P. 958 - 969

Published: Feb. 27, 2021

Infectious diseases are strong drivers of wildlife population dynamics, however, empirical analyses from the early stages pathogen emergence rare. Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), discovered in 1996, provides opportunity to study an epizootic its inception. We use a pattern-oriented diffusion simulation model spatial spread DFTD across species' range and quantify effects by jointly modelling multiple streams data spanning 35 years. estimate wild peaked at 53 000 less than half previous estimates. rapidly through high-density areas, with velocity slowing areas low host densities. By 2020, occupied >90% range, causing 82% declines local densities reducing total 16 900. Encouragingly, our forecasts decline should level-off within next decade, supporting conservation management focused on facilitating evolution resistance tolerance.

Language: Английский

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Is more data always better? A simulation study of benefits and limitations of integrated distribution models

Ecography, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 43(10), P. 1413 - 1422

Published: July 14, 2020

Species distribution models are popular and widely applied ecological tools. Recent increases in data availability have led to opportunities challenges for species modelling. Each source has different qualities, determined by how it was collected. As several sources can inform on a single species, ecologists often analysed just one of the sources, but this loses information, as some discarded. Integrated (IDMs) were developed enable inclusion multiple datasets model, whilst accounting collection protocols. This is advantageous because allows efficient use all available, improve estimation account biases collection. What not yet known when integrating does bring advantages. Here, first time, we explore potential limits IDMs using simulation study spatially biased, opportunistic, presence‐only dataset with structured, presence–absence dataset. We four scenarios based real problems; small sample sizes, low levels detection probability, correlations between covariates lack knowledge drivers bias For each scenario ask; do see improvements parameter or accuracy spatial pattern prediction IDM versus modelling either alone? found integration alone unable correct data. Including covariate explain adding flexible term improved performance beyond models, including producing most accurate robust estimates. Increasing size having no correlated also estimation. These results demonstrate under which conditions integrated provide benefits over sources.

Language: Английский

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Species-Habitat Associations: Spatial data, predictive models, and ecological insights

Published: Dec. 1, 2020

Ecologists develop species-habitat association (SHA) models to understand where species occur, why they are there and else might be. This knowledge can be used designate protected areas, estimate anthropogenic impacts on living organisms assess risks from invasive or disease spill-over wildlife humans. Here, we describe the state of art in SHA models, looking beyond apparent correlations between positions their local environment. We highlight importance ecological mechanisms, synthesize diverse modelling frameworks motivate development new analytical methods. Above all, aim synthetic, bringing together several apparently disconnected pieces theory, taxonomy, spatiotemporal scales, mathematical statistical technique our field. The first edition this ebook reviews ecology associations, mechanistic interpretation existing empirical shared foundations that help us draw scientific insights field data. It will interest graduate students professionals for an introduction literature SHAs, practitioners seeking analyse data animal movements distributions quantitative ecologists contribute methods addressing limitations current incarnations models.

Language: Английский

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Why Are Species’ Traits Weak Predictors of Range Shifts?

Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 52(1), P. 47 - 66

Published: Aug. 10, 2021

We examine the evidence linking species’ traits to contemporary range shifts and find they are poor predictors of that have occurred over decades a century. then discuss reasons for performance describing interspecific variation in from two perspectives: ( a) factors associated with degrade range-shift signals stemming measures used traits, typically not analyzed, influence phylogeny on potential b) issues quantifying relating them due imperfect detection species, differences responses altitudinal latitudinal ranges, emphasis testing linear relationships between instead nonlinear responses. Improving trait-based approaches requires recognition within individuals interact unexpected ways different combinations may be functionally equivalent.

Language: Английский

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Accounting for niche truncation to improve spatial and temporal predictions of species distributions

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: Aug. 4, 2022

Species Distribution Models (SDMs) are essential tools for predicting climate change impact on species’ distributions and commonly employed as an informative tool which to base management conservation actions. Focusing only a part of the entire distribution species fitting SDMs is common approach. Yet, geographically restricting their range can result in considering subset ecological niche (i.e., truncation) could lead biased spatial predictions future effects, particularly if conditions belong those parts that have been excluded model fitting. The integration large-scale data encompassing whole with more regional improve but comes along challenges owing broader scale and/or lower quality usually associated these data. Here, we compare obtained from traditional SDM fitted dataset (Switzerland) methods combine European datasets several bird breeding Switzerland. Three models were fitted: based thus not accounting truncation, pooling where two merged without differences extent or resolution, downscaling hierarchical approach accounts resolution. Results show leads much larger predicted changes (either positively negatively) under than both methods. also identified different variables main drivers compared data-integration models. Differences between regarding outside existing when implied extrapolation). In conclusion, showed (i) calibrated restricted provide markedly (ii) at least partly explained by truncation. This suggests using accurate nuanced through better characterization realized niches.

Language: Английский

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