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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The Persian plateau served as hub for Homo sapiens after the main out of Africa dispersal

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: March 25, 2024

Abstract A combination of evidence, based on genetic, fossil and archaeological findings, indicates that Homo sapiens spread out Africa between ~70-60 thousand years ago (kya). However, it appears once outside Africa, human populations did not expand across all Eurasia until ~45 kya. The geographic whereabouts these early settlers in the timeframe to 45 kya has been difficult reconcile. Here we combine genetic evidence palaeoecological models infer location acted as Hub for our species during phases colonisation Eurasia. Leveraging available genomic show from Persian Plateau carry an ancestry component closely matches population settled Africa. With paleoclimatic data date, built ecological showing was suitable occupation could sustain a larger compared other West Asian regions, strengthening this claim.

Language: Английский

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Climate and land use change through the eyes of two endemic amphibians: Temporal trajectories of suitability and connectivity reveal differential responses

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 302, P. 110971 - 110971

Published: Jan. 10, 2025

Language: Английский

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Ecological Niche Modelling Approaches: Challenges and Applications in Vector-Borne Diseases

Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 8(4), P. 187 - 187

Published: March 25, 2023

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) pose a major threat to human and animal health, with more than 80% of the global population being at risk acquiring least one VBD. Being profoundly affected by ongoing climate change anthropogenic disturbances, modelling approaches become an essential tool assess compare multiple scenarios (past, present future), further geographic transmission VBDs. Ecological niche (ENM) is rapidly becoming gold-standard method for this task. The purpose overview provide insight use ENM We have summarised some fundamental concepts common VBDS, then focused critical view on number crucial issues which are often disregarded when niches Furthermore, we briefly presented what consider most relevant uses dealing Niche VBDs far from simple, there still long way improve. Therefore, expected be useful benchmark in future research.

Language: Английский

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Ecological Niche Models using MaxEnt in Google Earth Engine: Evaluation, guidelines and recommendations

Ecological Informatics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 76, P. 102147 - 102147

Published: May 29, 2023

Language: Английский

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Evaluating sampling bias correction methods for invasive species distribution modeling in Maxent

Ecological Informatics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 76, P. 102124 - 102124

Published: May 19, 2023

Language: Английский

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Optimising occurrence data in species distribution models: sample size, positional uncertainty, and sampling bias matter

Ecography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Aug. 2, 2024

Species distribution models (SDMs) have proven valuable in filling gaps our knowledge of species occurrences. However, despite their broad applicability, SDMs exhibit critical shortcomings due to limitations occurrence data. These include, particular, issues related sample size, positional uncertainty, and sampling bias. In addition, it is widely recognised that the quality as well approaches used mitigate impact aforementioned data depend on ecology. While numerous studies evaluated effects these SDM performance, a synthesis results lacking. without comprehensive understanding individual combined effects, ability predict influence modelled species–environment associations remains largely uncertain, limiting value model outputs. this paper, we review bias, ecology We build upon findings provide recommendations for assessment intended use SDMs.

Language: Английский

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How sensitive are species distribution models to different background point selection strategies? A test with species at various equilibrium levels

Ecological Modelling, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 493, P. 110754 - 110754

Published: May 17, 2024

Species distribution models (SDMs) have become central tools in ecology and biogeography. Although they can be fitted with different types of species data (e.g. presence-absence, abundance), the most common approach, based on from large repositories, is to use simple occurrences (i.e. presence-only) combined background points (BP; also called pseudo-absences). But how should we sample these points, does this choice affect SDMs? In studies so far, BP were sampled randomly geographic space, yet theory rather suggests, if a at equilibrium, that it better them stratified way environmental space. However, potential improvement SDM predictions has never been tested. Furthermore, typical assumption behind SDMs modelled are equilibrium their environment. do perform when disequilibrium, as case for invasive species? To answer questions, selected 30 (10 insects, 10 mammals plants; each group 5 considered equilibrium) calibrated selections: random random-stratified For assessed both predictive performance using standard metrics stability new approach compares model's habitat suitability projection those virtual occurrence generated suitable areas. Finally, compared alien (disequilibrium) versus native (equilibrium) by comparing model two groups. We found sampling stratified-random space yields highest metrics, fully stable models. This implications conservation, classical frequently used produce less accurate Our results indicate best accuracy essential, essential.

Language: Английский

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Effective strategies for correcting spatial sampling bias in species distribution models without independent test data

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(3)

Published: Jan. 8, 2024

Abstract Aim Spatial sampling bias (SSB) is a feature of opportunistically sampled species records. Species distribution models (SDMs) built using these data (i.e. presence‐background models) can produce biased predictions suitability across geographic space, confounding occurrence with the effort. A wide range SSB correction methods have been developed but simulations suggest effects on predictive performance are highly variable. Here, we aim to identify that highest likelihood improving true and evaluation strategies provide reliable indicator model when independent test unavailable. Location Global, simulation. Time Period Current, Methods meta‐analysis was used evaluate in studies where there were direct comparisons between corrected uncorrected SDMs. simulation then against known truth four common methods. Results Effect sizes from published some support for small positive assessed data, this not evident internal cross‐validation no single method stood out as consistently effective. Simulations findings show generally poor effect correction. adjust relative driver produced largest gains, also most inconsistent. Main Conclusions Correcting SDMs without requires careful implementation. We recommend clearer documentation SDMs, presenting results correction, evaluating different assumptions implementation predictions, well greater efforts collect datasets validate predictions.

Language: Английский

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Mangrove distribution and afforestation potential in the Red Sea

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 843, P. 157098 - 157098

Published: June 30, 2022

Language: Английский

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