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Distance‐based methods for the analysis of maps produced by species distribution models
Author(s) -
Wilson Peter D.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
methods in ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.425
H-Index - 105
ISSN - 2041-210X
DOI - 10.1111/j.2041-210x.2011.00115.x
Subject(s) - ordination , pairwise comparison , raster graphics , range (aeronautics) , similarity (geometry) , distance measures , species distribution , covariate , data mining , sample (material) , computer science , relation (database) , statistics , mathematics , artificial intelligence , ecology , image (mathematics) , materials science , chemistry , chromatography , habitat , composite material , biology
Summary 1. Species distribution models (SDMs) are now widely applied to determine the potential distributions of species in relation to environmental covariates. Many modelling tools are available, and large sets of maps may be produced easily. 2. A wide range of methods have been developed for the comparison or analysis of raster images and SDM output maps including pairwise (two‐sample) tests and overall measures of similarity such as correlation coefficients and distance measures. 3. I present an analytical framework applying a distance‐based approach to the ordination and analysis of maps produced by species distribution modelling tools. The method combines aspects of image analysis with distance‐based statistical tests and allows ecologists to apply familiar forms of ordination and analysis to SDM output maps. A novel method of recombining elements of information extracted from distance‐based map analysis is also presented.