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ABSTRACT: Premise
Species distribution models (SDMs) are widely utilized to guide conservation decisions. The complexity of available data and SDM methodologies necessitates considerations of how data are chosen and processed for modeling to enhance model accuracy and support biological interpretations and ecological applications.Methods
We built SDMs for the invasive aquatic plant European frog-bit using aggregated and field data that span multiple scales, data sources, and data types. We tested how model results were affected by five modeler decision points: the exclusion of (1) missing and (2) correlated data and the (3) scale (large-scale aggregated data or systematic field data), (4) source (specimens or observations), and (5) type (presence-background or presence-absence) of occurrence data.Results
Decisions about the exclusion of missing and correlated data, as well as the scale and type of occurrence data, significantly affected metrics of model performance. The source and type of occurrence data led to differences in the importance of specific explanatory variables as drivers of species distribution and predicted probability of suitable habitat.Discussion
Our findings relative to European frog-bit illustrate how specific data selection and processing decisions can influence the outcomes and interpretation of SDMs. Data-centric protocols that incorporate data exploration into model building can help ensure models are reproducible and can be accurately interpreted in light of biological questions.
SUBMITTER: Hansen SE
PROVIDER: S-EPMC11192162 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May-Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Hansen Sara E SE Monfils Michael J MJ Hackett Rachel A RA Goebel Ryan T RT Monfils Anna K AK
Applications in plant sciences 20240311 3
<h4>Premise</h4>Species distribution models (SDMs) are widely utilized to guide conservation decisions. The complexity of available data and SDM methodologies necessitates considerations of how data are chosen and processed for modeling to enhance model accuracy and support biological interpretations and ecological applications.<h4>Methods</h4>We built SDMs for the invasive aquatic plant European frog-bit using aggregated and field data that span multiple scales, data sources, and data types. We ...[more]