Our goal is to build species range maps and distribution models with the best available data for assessing conservationstatus, conservation planning, and research (e.g., climate change impacts). These data are intended to describe patterns of species geographic location and basic ecological characteristics (e.g., habitat associations). Spatial patterns of species occurrence across landscapes can provide insights into biodiversity conservation (e.g., species richness).
Strategy show details
We are using each species range to provide the biological context within which to build our species distribution models. We defined a species distribution as the spatial arrangement of environments suitable for occupation by a species. In other words, a species distribution is created using a model to predict areas suitable for occupation within a species range. Our distribution maps, which are the result of our distribution models, are created at a 30m resolution. We are using deductive modeling approaches based on habitat associations and expert input. We will also be starting to collect species point observations to begin including inductive modeling as well. However, whatever modeling approach is used for creating a species distribution model, it will be applied consistently across its range. For those species that have ranges entirely within the regional extents of SWReGAP, SEGAP, or NWGAP projects, we are using the existing distribution models as our national distribution models for that species.
Our goal is to build species range maps and distribution models with the best available data for assessing conservation status, conservation planning, and research (e.g., climate change impacts). This is our first attempt to build species models across species ranges rather than stopping at state boundaries. These models will provide a base from which we can iteratively improve the model when new data become available and they will provide the basis of a national biodiversity assessment. GAP’s modeling strategy is aimed towards our new national level vision. We believe our strategy over the next 1-2 years will position us well for conducting nationwide biodiversity assessments while also building and expanding our species modeling data, models, and expertise.
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Current Status show details
At present, our main modeling approach is deductive (i.e., habitat associations); however, NWGAP and Alaska GAP species modeling efforts include inductive modeling (i.e., statistical modeling using point occurrences). We are focusing our initial efforts on building, expanding, or updating our deductive speciesmodels, but we are also expanding our inductive modeling efforts over time.
As a result of our current deductive modeling, we also have created core data needed for conducting national species modeling. This includes a national wildlife habitat relationship database on which all our current deductive modeling efforts are based. This database contains wildlife habitat relationships to land cover and other spatial habitat parameters (e.g., elevation, slope) based on literature, taxonomic information (e.g., ITIS codes), and information about the status of the modeling effort for each species (e.g., available model, model spatial extent, partners involved, and projected completion).
Much of this information is integrated into our Species Viewer. Furthermore, several key national ancillary data layers (e.g., stream velocity, distance to forest edge) have been created through our deductive modeling and are available for download.
We intend to continue with our deductive modeling while simultaneously gearing up our inductive modeling effort, which will require a species point occurrence database and national spatial environmental layers, such as temperature and precipitation.
We view modeling as an iterative process in which we will update our ranges and models as new data and information become available.
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