What does ecological modelling model? A proposed classification of ecological niche models based on their underlying methods

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2011

Authors

sillero, n (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Ecological Modelling

Vol. 222

Pages: 1343-1346

ISSN: 0304-3800

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 145 Citations

Scopus - 169 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-SBJ

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2011.01.018

Abstract (EN): Species distribution model is the term most frequently used in ecological modelling, but other authors used instead predictive habitat distribution model or species-habitat models. A consensual ecological modelling terminology that avoids misunderstandings and takes into account the ecological niche theory does not exist at present. Moreover, different studies differ in the type of niche that is represented by similar distribution models. I propose to use as standard ecological modelling terminology the terms "ecological niche", "potential niche", "realized niche" models (for modelling their respective niches), and "habitat suitability map" (for the output of the niche models). Therefore, the user can understand more easily that models always forecast species' niche and relate more closely the different types of niche models.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 4