A. Townsend Peterson, Jorge Soberón, Richard G. Pearson, Robert P. Anderson, Enrique Martínez-Meyer, Miguel Nakamura, and Miguel Bastos Araújo
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691136868
- eISBN:
- 9781400840670
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691136868.003.0002
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
This chapter proposes a formal and operational definition of a particular niche concept, introduces approaches for characterizing and measuring it, and uses it as a conceptual and terminological ...
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This chapter proposes a formal and operational definition of a particular niche concept, introduces approaches for characterizing and measuring it, and uses it as a conceptual and terminological basis for describing and understanding much of the related practices of ecological niche modeling and species distribution modeling. It begins with a discussion of the themes that are most important in understanding niche concepts, focusing on three interrelated points: the meaning of “exist indefinitely”; what kinds of variables constitute the hypervolume; and the nature of feedback loops between a species and the variables composing the hypervolume. The chapter then considers the Grinnellian and Eltonian niches as well as the practicalities of estimating Grinnellian niches. It also considers two important interpretations of the niche concept, one of which is concerned with geographic and environmental spaces, and the other emphasizes the Eltonian niche.Less
This chapter proposes a formal and operational definition of a particular niche concept, introduces approaches for characterizing and measuring it, and uses it as a conceptual and terminological basis for describing and understanding much of the related practices of ecological niche modeling and species distribution modeling. It begins with a discussion of the themes that are most important in understanding niche concepts, focusing on three interrelated points: the meaning of “exist indefinitely”; what kinds of variables constitute the hypervolume; and the nature of feedback loops between a species and the variables composing the hypervolume. The chapter then considers the Grinnellian and Eltonian niches as well as the practicalities of estimating Grinnellian niches. It also considers two important interpretations of the niche concept, one of which is concerned with geographic and environmental spaces, and the other emphasizes the Eltonian niche.
A. Townsend Peterson, Jorge Soberón, Richard G. Pearson, Robert P. Anderson, Enrique Martínez-Meyer, Miguel Nakamura, and Miguel Bastos Araújo
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691136868
- eISBN:
- 9781400840670
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691136868.003.0004
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
This chapter considers the practice of modeling ecological niches and estimating geographic distributions. It first introduces the general principles and definitions underlying ecological niche ...
More
This chapter considers the practice of modeling ecological niches and estimating geographic distributions. It first introduces the general principles and definitions underlying ecological niche modeling and species distribution modeling, focusing on model calibration and evaluation, before discussing the principal steps to be followed in building niche models. The first task in building a niche model is to collate, process, error-check, and format the data that are necessary as input. Two types of data are required: primary occurrence data documenting known presences (and sometimes absences) of the species, and environmental predictors in the form of raster-format GIS layers summarizing scenopoetic variables that may (or may not) be involved in delineating the ecological requirements of the species. The next step is to use a modeling algorithm to characterize the species’ ecological niche as a function of the environmental variables, followed by model projection and evaluation and finally, model transferability.Less
This chapter considers the practice of modeling ecological niches and estimating geographic distributions. It first introduces the general principles and definitions underlying ecological niche modeling and species distribution modeling, focusing on model calibration and evaluation, before discussing the principal steps to be followed in building niche models. The first task in building a niche model is to collate, process, error-check, and format the data that are necessary as input. Two types of data are required: primary occurrence data documenting known presences (and sometimes absences) of the species, and environmental predictors in the form of raster-format GIS layers summarizing scenopoetic variables that may (or may not) be involved in delineating the ecological requirements of the species. The next step is to use a modeling algorithm to characterize the species’ ecological niche as a function of the environmental variables, followed by model projection and evaluation and finally, model transferability.
A. Townsend Peterson, Jorge Soberón, Richard G. Pearson, Robert P. Anderson, Enrique Martínez-Meyer, Miguel Nakamura, and Miguel B. Araújo
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691136868
- eISBN:
- 9781400840670
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691136868.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
This book provides a first synthetic view of an emerging area of ecology and biogeography, linking individual- and population-level processes to geographic distributions and biodiversity patterns. ...
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This book provides a first synthetic view of an emerging area of ecology and biogeography, linking individual- and population-level processes to geographic distributions and biodiversity patterns. Problems in evolutionary ecology, macroecology, and biogeography are illuminated by this integrative view. The book focuses on correlative approaches known as ecological niche modeling, species distribution modeling, or habitat suitability modeling, which use associations between known occurrences of species and environmental variables to identify environmental conditions under which populations can be maintained. The spatial distribution of environments suitable for the species can then be estimated: a potential distribution for the species. This approach has broad applicability to ecology, evolution, biogeography, and conservation biology, as well as to understanding the geographic potential of invasive species and infectious diseases, and the biological implications of climate change. The book lays out conceptual foundations and general principles for understanding and interpreting species distributions with respect to geography and environment. Focus is on development of niche models. While serving as a guide for students and researchers, the book also provides a theoretical framework to support future progress in the field.Less
This book provides a first synthetic view of an emerging area of ecology and biogeography, linking individual- and population-level processes to geographic distributions and biodiversity patterns. Problems in evolutionary ecology, macroecology, and biogeography are illuminated by this integrative view. The book focuses on correlative approaches known as ecological niche modeling, species distribution modeling, or habitat suitability modeling, which use associations between known occurrences of species and environmental variables to identify environmental conditions under which populations can be maintained. The spatial distribution of environments suitable for the species can then be estimated: a potential distribution for the species. This approach has broad applicability to ecology, evolution, biogeography, and conservation biology, as well as to understanding the geographic potential of invasive species and infectious diseases, and the biological implications of climate change. The book lays out conceptual foundations and general principles for understanding and interpreting species distributions with respect to geography and environment. Focus is on development of niche models. While serving as a guide for students and researchers, the book also provides a theoretical framework to support future progress in the field.
Otso Ovaskainen, Henrik Johan de Knegt, and Maria del Mar Delgado
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- August 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780198714866
- eISBN:
- 9780191783210
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198714866.003.0004
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology, Biomathematics / Statistics and Data Analysis / Complexity Studies
This chapter introduces mathematical and statistical modelling approaches in community ecology. It starts with a conceptual section, continues with mathematical and statistical sections, and ends ...
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This chapter introduces mathematical and statistical modelling approaches in community ecology. It starts with a conceptual section, continues with mathematical and statistical sections, and ends with a perspectives section. The conceptual section motivates the modelling approaches by providing the necessary background to community ecology. The mathematical sections start with models of two interacting species in homogeneous space, including a model with competitive interactions, a resource–consumer model, and a predator–prey model. The competition model is expanded to heterogeneous space and to the case of many competing species. This model is used to analyse the consequences of habitat loss and fragmentation at the community level. To illustrate the interplay between models and data, the statistical section analyses data generated by the mathematical models, with emphasis on time-series data of two interacting species, point pattern analyses, and joint species distribution models.Less
This chapter introduces mathematical and statistical modelling approaches in community ecology. It starts with a conceptual section, continues with mathematical and statistical sections, and ends with a perspectives section. The conceptual section motivates the modelling approaches by providing the necessary background to community ecology. The mathematical sections start with models of two interacting species in homogeneous space, including a model with competitive interactions, a resource–consumer model, and a predator–prey model. The competition model is expanded to heterogeneous space and to the case of many competing species. This model is used to analyse the consequences of habitat loss and fragmentation at the community level. To illustrate the interplay between models and data, the statistical section analyses data generated by the mathematical models, with emphasis on time-series data of two interacting species, point pattern analyses, and joint species distribution models.
A. Townsend Peterson, Jorge Soberón, Richard G. Pearson, Robert P. Anderson, Enrique Martínez-Meyer, Miguel Nakamura, and Miguel Bastos Araújo
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691136868
- eISBN:
- 9781400840670
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691136868.003.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
This book deals with ecological niche modeling and species distribution modeling, two emerging fields that address the ecological, geographic, and evolutionary dimensions of geographic distributions ...
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This book deals with ecological niche modeling and species distribution modeling, two emerging fields that address the ecological, geographic, and evolutionary dimensions of geographic distributions of species. It provides a conceptual overview of the complex relationships between ecological niches and geographic distributions of species, both across space and (perhaps to a lesser degree) through time. The emphasis is on how that conceptual framework relates to ecological niche modeling and species distribution modeling, which the book argues are complementary and are most broadly applicable to diverse questions regarding the ecology and geography of biodiversity phenomena. Part I of the book introduces the conceptual framework for thinking about and discussing the distributional ecology of species, Part II is concerned with the data and tools that have been used in the early development of the field, and Part III focuses on real-world situations to which these tools have been applied.Less
This book deals with ecological niche modeling and species distribution modeling, two emerging fields that address the ecological, geographic, and evolutionary dimensions of geographic distributions of species. It provides a conceptual overview of the complex relationships between ecological niches and geographic distributions of species, both across space and (perhaps to a lesser degree) through time. The emphasis is on how that conceptual framework relates to ecological niche modeling and species distribution modeling, which the book argues are complementary and are most broadly applicable to diverse questions regarding the ecology and geography of biodiversity phenomena. Part I of the book introduces the conceptual framework for thinking about and discussing the distributional ecology of species, Part II is concerned with the data and tools that have been used in the early development of the field, and Part III focuses on real-world situations to which these tools have been applied.
Cang Hui and David M. Richardson
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- March 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780198745334
- eISBN:
- 9780191807046
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198745334.003.0003
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology, Biomathematics / Statistics and Data Analysis / Complexity Studies
This chapter provides an introduction to a set of theoretical and numerical models that have been developed for this purpose. Spatial dynamic models are presented in three integral parts: modelling ...
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This chapter provides an introduction to a set of theoretical and numerical models that have been developed for this purpose. Spatial dynamic models are presented in three integral parts: modelling core, context, and method. Modelling cores are dynamic models for describing population demography and spread. Lagrangian models of random walks and step-selection functions that aim to portray and explain individual movement, and Eulerian models of reaction-diffusion and integrodifference equations that aim to capture the spatial dynamics of populations are introduced. Modelling context defines the arena for implementing the core. The basics of species distribution models to provide the context of suitable habitat are presented, leaving aspects of hybrid models, biotic interactions, and non-equilibrium dynamics to other chapters. Modelling methods are techniques for implementing cores in context. Different agent-based models, including individual-based models, cellular automata, and gravity (network) models, are explained.Less
This chapter provides an introduction to a set of theoretical and numerical models that have been developed for this purpose. Spatial dynamic models are presented in three integral parts: modelling core, context, and method. Modelling cores are dynamic models for describing population demography and spread. Lagrangian models of random walks and step-selection functions that aim to portray and explain individual movement, and Eulerian models of reaction-diffusion and integrodifference equations that aim to capture the spatial dynamics of populations are introduced. Modelling context defines the arena for implementing the core. The basics of species distribution models to provide the context of suitable habitat are presented, leaving aspects of hybrid models, biotic interactions, and non-equilibrium dynamics to other chapters. Modelling methods are techniques for implementing cores in context. Different agent-based models, including individual-based models, cellular automata, and gravity (network) models, are explained.
Carlo Rondinini and Luigi Boitani
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- December 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199558520
- eISBN:
- 9780191774546
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199558520.003.0003
- Subject:
- Biology, Biodiversity / Conservation Biology, Ecology
A wide range of theoretical and applied analyses in animal ecology, biogeography, and conservation biology involve the production or use of maps of species' distributions. Species' distributions are ...
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A wide range of theoretical and applied analyses in animal ecology, biogeography, and conservation biology involve the production or use of maps of species' distributions. Species' distributions are dynamic over time, thus any map is a model, with its specific assumptions, caveats, approximations, and errors. Not all maps are equal or equally useful for all purposes, but distinguishing a useful map from a useless one (for any given purpose) by simply looking at it may be impossible. This chapter summarizes the different types of maps that can be produced, and highlights potential sources of errors and their effects.Less
A wide range of theoretical and applied analyses in animal ecology, biogeography, and conservation biology involve the production or use of maps of species' distributions. Species' distributions are dynamic over time, thus any map is a model, with its specific assumptions, caveats, approximations, and errors. Not all maps are equal or equally useful for all purposes, but distinguishing a useful map from a useless one (for any given purpose) by simply looking at it may be impossible. This chapter summarizes the different types of maps that can be produced, and highlights potential sources of errors and their effects.
Liz Pásztor, Zoltán Botta-Dukát, Gabriella Magyar, Tamás Czárán, and Géza Meszéna
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- August 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780199577859
- eISBN:
- 9780191823787
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199577859.003.0005
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
Descriptions and consequences of the environmental dependence of long-term population growth rates, i.e., of fitness, are in the focus of this chapter. The ecological tolerances of species (or other ...
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Descriptions and consequences of the environmental dependence of long-term population growth rates, i.e., of fitness, are in the focus of this chapter. The ecological tolerances of species (or other reproductive units) are represented by multivariate response functions. These describe the dependence of the long-term growth rate of unregulated populations on the regulating and modifying environmental variables affecting them. Some particular environmental variables, like climatic ones, are routinely used in ecology and population genetics for predicting the geographic distribution of species or ecotypes, while crucial regulating variables are often overlooked. In a reversed logic, response functions can be deduced from the actual geographic distributions of the reproductive units, but this area of research is heavily burdened by several practical problems. Comparative studies of adaptations represent another approach to determining tolerance functions through studying the joint effects of environmental and genetic variation on fitness.Less
Descriptions and consequences of the environmental dependence of long-term population growth rates, i.e., of fitness, are in the focus of this chapter. The ecological tolerances of species (or other reproductive units) are represented by multivariate response functions. These describe the dependence of the long-term growth rate of unregulated populations on the regulating and modifying environmental variables affecting them. Some particular environmental variables, like climatic ones, are routinely used in ecology and population genetics for predicting the geographic distribution of species or ecotypes, while crucial regulating variables are often overlooked. In a reversed logic, response functions can be deduced from the actual geographic distributions of the reproductive units, but this area of research is heavily burdened by several practical problems. Comparative studies of adaptations represent another approach to determining tolerance functions through studying the joint effects of environmental and genetic variation on fitness.
Christine C. Hass and Jerry W. Dragoo
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- January 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780198759805
- eISBN:
- 9780191820519
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198759805.003.0024
- Subject:
- Biology, Animal Biology, Biodiversity / Conservation Biology
Ecological niches of three species of skunks (Mephitidae: Conepatus leuconotus, Mephitis mephitis, M. macroura) in and near their overlap zone in the American Southwest were studied to determine if ...
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Ecological niches of three species of skunks (Mephitidae: Conepatus leuconotus, Mephitis mephitis, M. macroura) in and near their overlap zone in the American Southwest were studied to determine if competition may be limiting distribution of these species. A species distribution model developed in MaxEnt was used to identify suitable habitat for each species, from which contact zones for each species pair were identified. Principal components derived from habitat and climate variables inside and outside of contact zones for each species, and between species pairs within the contact zone were then compared. Species differed in environmental space inside and outside of contact zones, but species pairs did not differ within contact zones, indicating no evidence of competitive exclusion, and possible niche convergence at a broad spatial scaleLess
Ecological niches of three species of skunks (Mephitidae: Conepatus leuconotus, Mephitis mephitis, M. macroura) in and near their overlap zone in the American Southwest were studied to determine if competition may be limiting distribution of these species. A species distribution model developed in MaxEnt was used to identify suitable habitat for each species, from which contact zones for each species pair were identified. Principal components derived from habitat and climate variables inside and outside of contact zones for each species, and between species pairs within the contact zone were then compared. Species differed in environmental space inside and outside of contact zones, but species pairs did not differ within contact zones, indicating no evidence of competitive exclusion, and possible niche convergence at a broad spatial scale
