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  • © 2011

Predictive Species and Habitat Modeling in Landscape Ecology

Concepts and Applications

  • Highlights how fundamental ecological theories are being explicitly integrated into the model building processes
  • offers practical examples of how modelers are addressing the conflict between the complexity of ecological systems and the relative simplicity of their modeled systems
  • Presents novel prediction methods to identify and quantify sources of uncertainty and variability in species habitat associations in time and space

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Table of contents (15 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiv
  2. Current State of Knowledge

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 7-7
    2. Integrating Theory and Predictive Modeling for Conservation Research

      • Jeremy T. Kerr, Manisha Kulkarni, Adam Algar
      Pages 9-28
  3. Integration of Ecological Theory into Modeling Practice

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 43-43
    2. Proper Data Management as a Scientific Foundation for Reliable Species Distribution Modeling

      • Benjamin Zuckerberg, Falk Huettmann, Jacqueline Frair
      Pages 45-70
    3. The Role of Assumptions in Predictions of Habitat Availability and Quality

      • Edward J. Laurent, C. Ashton Drew, Wayne E. Thogmartin
      Pages 71-90
    4. Insights from Ecological Theory on Temporal Dynamics and Species Distribution Modeling

      • Robert J. Fletcher Jr., Jock S. Young, Richard L. Hutto, Anna Noson, Christopher T. Rota
      Pages 91-107
  4. Simplicity, Complexity, and Uncertainty in Applied Models

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 109-109
    2. Focused Assessment of Scale-Dependent Vegetation Pattern

      • Todd R. Lookingbill, Monique E. Rocca, Dean L. Urban
      Pages 111-138
    3. Modeling Species Distribution and Change Using Random Forest

      • Jeffrey S. Evans, Melanie A. Murphy, Zachary A. Holden, Samuel A. Cushman
      Pages 139-159
    4. Expert Knowledge as a Basis for Landscape Ecological Predictive Models

      • C. Ashton Drew, Ajith H. Perera
      Pages 229-248
  5. Designing Models for Increased Utility

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 249-249
    2. Using Species Distribution Models for Conservation Planning and Ecological Forecasting

      • Josh J. Lawler, Yolanda F. Wiersma, Falk Huettmann
      Pages 271-290
    3. Conclusion: An Attempt to Describe the State of Habitat and Species Modeling Today

      • C. Ashton Drew, Yolanda F. Wiersma, Falk Huettmann
      Pages 291-298

About this book

Most projects in Landscape Ecology, at some point, define a species-habitat association. These models are inherently spatial, dealing with landscapes and their configurations. Whether coding behavioral rules for dispersal of simulated organisms through simulated landscapes, or designing the sampling extent of field surveys and experiments in real landscapes, landscape ecologists must make assumptions about how organisms experience and utilize the landscape. These convenient working postulates allow modelers to project the model in time and space, yet rarely are they explicitly considered. The early years of landscape ecology necessarily focused on the evolution of effective data sources, metrics, and statistical approaches that could truly capture the spatial and temporal patterns and processes of interest. Now that these tools are well established, we reflect on the ecological theories that underpin the assumptions commonly made during species distribution modeling and mapping. This is crucial for applying models to questions of global sustainability.

Due to the inherent use of GIS for much of this kind of research, and as several authors’ research involves the production of multicolored map figures, there would be an 8-page color insert. Additional color figures could be made available through a digital archive, or by cost contributions of the chapter authors. Where applicable, would be relevant chapters’ GIS data and model code available through a digital archive. The practice of data and code sharing is becoming standard in GIS studies, is an inherent method of this book, and will serve to add additional research value to the book for both academic and practitioner audiences.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Dept. Zoology, Biodiversity & Spatial Information Ctr., North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA

    C. Ashton Drew

  • Dept. Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Canada

    Yolanda F. Wiersma

  • Inst. Arctic Biology, Dept. Biology & Wildlife, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, USA

    Falk Huettmann

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access