Cristian S. Montalvo-Mancheno, Jessie C. Buettel, Stefania Ondei, Barry W. Brook
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Expert-derived range maps are used extensively in macroecological and biogeographic analyses, yet they are subjective, taxonomically biased, and inconsistent in their treatment of species' absences. We developed a reproducible, data-driven approach to estimate species' extent of occurrence (EOO) using presence-only data and subregions of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalization for Australia (IBRA). This approach employs a Gaussian kernel density estimator calibrated for spatial coherence and ecological realism, producing maps independent of arbitrary grid structures. We applied it to 610 Australian bird species and evaluated the concordance of our data-driven EOO maps against BirdLife International expert-derived range maps. The spatial association between these two map sources, measured on a 0–1 scale, ranged from near-zero to 0.93 across species, with higher concordance among terrestrial birds. Estimates of richness using both map sources varied most at the finest spatial scale (IBRA subregions), with mean and root mean square errors at the coarsest biogeographic scale (ecoregion) being 1/3 lower than those at the subregional scale. Likewise, we demonstrated the approach's applicability across taxa by generating data-driven EOO maps for selected amphibians, mammals, reptiles, and vascular plants. Like for birds, discontinuities in the distribution of these non-avian species represented different subpopulations over Australia. Our approach minimizes the influence of sampling bias and internal discontinuities in the estimation of species' EOO, while allowing for range edge refinement and subpopulation delineation. It provides an objective and scalable alternative to expert-derived range maps, well-suited for large-scale ecological research requiring consistency in spatial precision. Given the plethora of biogeographic templates already in use, our approach is adaptable to many contexts and thus can readily support a better understanding and conservation of biodiversity at large spatial scales.
期刊介绍:
Ecology and Evolution is the peer reviewed journal for rapid dissemination of research in all areas of ecology, evolution and conservation science. The journal gives priority to quality research reports, theoretical or empirical, that develop our understanding of organisms and their diversity, interactions between them, and the natural environment.
Ecology and Evolution gives prompt and equal consideration to papers reporting theoretical, experimental, applied and descriptive work in terrestrial and aquatic environments. The journal will consider submissions across taxa in areas including but not limited to micro and macro ecological and evolutionary processes, characteristics of and interactions between individuals, populations, communities and the environment, physiological responses to environmental change, population genetics and phylogenetics, relatedness and kin selection, life histories, systematics and taxonomy, conservation genetics, extinction, speciation, adaption, behaviour, biodiversity, species abundance, macroecology, population and ecosystem dynamics, and conservation policy.