Open AccessTemporal resolutions in species distribution models of highly mobile marine animals: Recommendations for ecologists and managers
Author(s) -
Mannocci Laura,
Boustany Andre M.,
Roberts Jason J.,
Palacios Daniel M.,
Dunn Daniel C.,
Halpin Patrick N.,
Viehman Shay,
Moxley Jerry,
Cleary Jesse,
Bailey Helen,
Bograd Steven J.,
Becker Elizabeth A.,
Gardner Beth,
Hartog Jason R.,
Hazen Elliott L.,
Ferguson Megan C.,
Forney Karin A.,
Kinlan Brian P.,
Oliver Matthew J.,
Perretti Charles T.,
Ridoux Vincent,
Teo Steven L. H.,
Winship Arliss J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
diversity and distributions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.918
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1472-4642
pISSN - 1366-9516
DOI - 10.1111/ddi.12609
Subject(s) - temporal scales , covariate , mesoscale meteorology , ephemeral key , ecology , scale (ratio) , environmental science , species distribution , temporal resolution , spatial ecology , ecosystem , environmental niche modelling , geography , climatology , physical geography , habitat , econometrics , meteorology , geology , ecological niche , biology , cartography , mathematics , physics , quantum mechanics
While ecologists have long recognized the influence of spatial resolution on species distribution models (SDMs), they have given relatively little attention to the influence of temporal resolution. Considering temporal resolutions is critical in distribution modelling of highly mobile marine animals, as they interact with dynamic oceanographic processes that vary at time‐scales from seconds to decades. We guide ecologists in selecting temporal resolutions that best match ecological questions and ecosystems, and managers in applying these models. We group the temporal resolutions of environmental variables used in SDM s into three classes: instantaneous, contemporaneous and climatological. We posit that animal associations with fine‐scale and ephemeral features are best modelled with instantaneous covariates. Associations with large scale and persistent oceanographic features are best modelled with climatological covariates. Associations with mesoscale features are best modelled with instantaneous or contemporaneous covariates if ephemeral processes are present or interannual variability occurs, and climatological covariates if seasonal processes dominate and interannual variability is weak.