Accurate mapping of species distributions is a fundamental goal of modern biogeography, both for basic and applied purposes. This is commonly done by plotting known species occurrences, expert-drawn range maps or geographical estimations derived from species distribution models. However, all three kinds of maps are implicitly subject to uncertainty, due to the quality and bias of raw distributional data, the process of map building, and the dynamic nature of species distributions themselves. Here we review the main sources of uncertainty suggesting a code of good practices in order to minimize their effects. Specifically, we claim that uncertainty should be always explicitly taken into account and we propose the creation of maps of ignorance to provide information on where the mapped distributions are reliable and where they are uncertain.
Rocchini, D., Hortal, J., Lengyel, S., Lobo, J.M., JIMÉNEZ VALVERDE, A., Ricotta, C., et al. (2011). Accounting for uncertainty when mapping species distributions: The need for maps of ignorance. PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, 35(2), 211-226 [10.1177/0309133311399491].
Accounting for uncertainty when mapping species distributions: The need for maps of ignorance
ROCCHINI, DUCCIO;BACARO, GIOVANNI;CHIARUCCI, ALESSANDRO
2011-01-01
Abstract
Accurate mapping of species distributions is a fundamental goal of modern biogeography, both for basic and applied purposes. This is commonly done by plotting known species occurrences, expert-drawn range maps or geographical estimations derived from species distribution models. However, all three kinds of maps are implicitly subject to uncertainty, due to the quality and bias of raw distributional data, the process of map building, and the dynamic nature of species distributions themselves. Here we review the main sources of uncertainty suggesting a code of good practices in order to minimize their effects. Specifically, we claim that uncertainty should be always explicitly taken into account and we propose the creation of maps of ignorance to provide information on where the mapped distributions are reliable and where they are uncertain.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
---|---|---|---|
2011_Prog_Phys_Geogr.pdf
non disponibili
Tipologia:
Post-print
Licenza:
NON PUBBLICO - Accesso privato/ristretto
Dimensione
330.84 kB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
330.84 kB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri Richiedi una copia |
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
https://hdl.handle.net/11365/21785
Attenzione
Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo