Five (or so) challenges for species distribution modelling |
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Authors: | Miguel B Araújo Antoine Guisan |
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Institution: | Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, National Museum of Natural Sciences, CSIC, 28006, Madrid, Spain;, Centre for Macroecology, Institute of Biology, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;, Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland |
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Abstract: | Species distribution modelling is central to both fundamental and applied research in biogeography. Despite widespread use of models, there are still important conceptual ambiguities as well as biotic and algorithmic uncertainties that need to be investigated in order to increase confidence in model results. We identify and discuss five areas of enquiry that are of high importance for species distribution modelling: (1) clarification of the niche concept; (2) improved designs for sampling data for building models; (3) improved parameterization; (4) improved model selection and predictor contribution; and (5) improved model evaluation. The challenges discussed in this essay do not preclude the need for developments of other areas of research in this field. However, they are critical for allowing the science of species distribution modelling to move forward. |
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Keywords: | Fundamental niche model evaluation niche models parameterization realized niche sampling variable selection |
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