Scale Effects In Species Distribution Models; Implications For Conservation Planning Under Climate Change

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Also Included In: Veterinary
Article Date: 05 Nov 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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This study presents the effect of grid size on the output of species distribution models. We found that species range distributions modelled with 50x50 km grid size selected up to 2.89 times more area than the same species modelled with 1x1 km grids.

This has implications for conservation planning under climate change scenarios because global climate models, frequently used to drive species distribution models, typically have coarse resolution of 50-100 km grids. Their use in species distribution modelling could lead to over-prediction of future ranges.

This in turn could lead to mis-identification of reserves intended to protect species future habitats.

Royal Society Journal Biology Letters

Biology Letters publishes short, innovative and cutting-edge research articles and opinion pieces accessible to scientists from across the biological sciences. The journal is characterised by stringent peer-review, rapid publication and broad dissemination of succinct high-quality research communications.

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